Nature Communications, 11 March 2025
Information from multiple models strengthens the long-held understanding that Arctic sea ice loss impacts weather patterns in other parts of the world. As Arctic ice melts, it shifts air pressure, leading to drier winters in the southwestern United States and wetter winters in the Mediterranean. These changes happen relatively quickly, within one decade, and are different from the long-term climate changes expected over multiple decades or centuries as shown in previous studies. These findings indicate that the immediate effects of sea ice loss can be different from the long-term consequences. Therefore, the timeline of weather responses as well as types of models used to study the global impacts of sea ice loss are both key components in anticipating the future impacts of climate change.
Full paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-025-02059-w
News coverage from Barcelona Institute for Global Health: https://phys.org/news/2025-03-arctic-sea-ice-loss-drier.html
By Science Writing Intern Haily Landrigan, Global Outreach Director Amy Imdieke, and ICCI Director Pam Pearson.
Published Mar. 28, 2025 Updated Mar. 28, 2025 11:30 pm
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