Increased Ocean Heat Flowing from the Tropics into the Arctic Ocean

Nature Climate Change, November 23

The flow of heat from subtropical waters into the Nordic Seas and Arctic Ocean has increased over the past three decades. Monthly measurements since 1990 have shown that since 2001, the amount of heat has increased from 305 to 326 terawatts per month. This increase in ocean heat transport accounts for most, if not all, of the heat accumulation in the Arctic Ocean; and is therefore implicated as one of the possible causes of declining sea-ice extent and increasing ocean temperatures across the Arctic.  This underscores the need to decrease warming on a global basis in order to slow warming and sea-ice loss, and related impacts in the Arctic Ocean.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-020-00941-3

Compiled by Amy Imdieke.