Warmer Atlantic and More Storms Decrease Sea Ice North of Svalbard

Journal of Geophysical Research, July 11

On the other side of the Arctic, an earlier study this summer found that winter storms and warm near‐surface Atlantic water appear directly responsible for winter sea ice loss in the Whalers Bay area north of Svalbard.  The amount of heat transported from the Atlantic Ocean, and storm frequency both have increased over the past several decades, and the ice‐free area is expected to increase further in future; affecting marine ecology and commercial activity including transportation and fishing.

Compiled by Amy Imdieke