Arctic and Antarctic Sea Ice Loss Decrease Winter Snowfall in the Himalayas

Atmospheric Science Letters, 5 March 2026

Melting polar sea ice will weaken the frequency and intensity of winter storm systems known as Western Disturbances this century under high emissions, reducing winter precipitation and snow accumulation in the Himalayas, which support major river systems across South Asia. Western Disturbances are extratropical storms that originate in the Mediterranean and bring sudden rain, snow and fog to northwest India, Pakistan and Nepal during the winter and pre-monsoon season. They play an essential role in sustaining Himalayan glaciers and winter crops including wheat, barley, mustard, gram, and peas. Researchers simulated future atmospheric circulation patterns in models that accounted for decreased Arctic and Antarctic sea ice alongside elevated sea surface temperatures. They found that melting sea ice weakens and widens the subtropical jet stream and shifts it closer to the equator, reducing Western Disturbance formation and decreasing storm activity by nearly 19% in the Himalayan region. Reduced storms could affect water resources, agriculture, and regional climate risks across these countries, demonstrating that polar climate changes can have far-reaching impacts on weather systems thousands of kilometers away.

Paper | Research Highlight Summary by Nature India