Atmospheric Rivers in Antarctica Trigger Extremes: From Snowfall to Ice Melt and Instability

Nature Reviews: Earth and Environment, 11 February 2025

A recent review article explains the history of atmospheric rivers in Antarctica, highlighting that the rivers have led to 50-70% of extreme snowfalls, but have also triggered major surface melting events. The review warns that atmospheric rivers will likely grow more frequent and intense with rising global temperatures. This extreme weather brings heat and moisture closer to the ice, playing a complex role in ice sheet dynamics. While currently contributing to snowfall accumulation, which benefits the ice sheet, it also can produce intense surface melt, sweep away supportive sea ice, or even spur large ocean swells, which brought about the notable ice shelf collapses in 1995 and 2002 as well as more recently in 2022. With climate change projected to intensify these atmospheric rivers, it is important to note the potential for increased melt and ice shelf instability. Investing in research to better understand the future impacts of these events is crucial for effective climate planning and sea level rise estimations.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s43017-024-00638-7