Description

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Context:

on 2 February 2025, The temperature at the North Pole was 20°C above average
In Svalbard, Norway, the temperature was 18°Cabove the 1991–2020 average on 1 February, and by 2 February the increase had exceeded 20°C.

Extreme Warming:

The Arctic usually have very cold winters. But this year, the temperatures were much higher than normal.
A scientist at the Finnish Meteorological Institute, called this event an extreme winters warming.
Although it was not the worst ever, but it was one of the worst heat events.
Since 1979, the Arctic has warmed 4 times faster than the global average.
If this continues, it could have major global impacts suchas rising sea levels and disruptions in weather pattern.

What are the Reasons Behind the Unusual Warmth

Factor	Description
Low-Pressure System over Iceland	The low-pressure system over Iceland pulled warm air from the south into the Arcticregion, causing the warm air to reach the North Pole.
Warm Sea Surface Temperatures in the North-East Atlantic	Sea surface temperatures in the northeastern Atlantic were unusually high, increasing the amount of warm air arriving in the Arctic, which further raised temperatures.
Temperature Changes	On February2, the daily average temperature at the North Pole was 20°C above normal. The absolute temperature was above -1°C, which is warmer than usual for the Arctic in winter.

The Arctic is Warming Faster Than the Global Average

Global temperatures have risen by about 1.3 degrees Celsius since the late 1800s.
But this increase were not the same everywhere.
According to a 2022 study, the Arctic have warmed 3.8 times faster than the global average since the
This is called Arctic amplification, where the Arctic warms much faster than the rest of the world.

Why Is the Arctic Warming Faster?

a) Albedo Effect

● Albedo occur when a surface reflects sunlight.

● Sea ice have a high albedo and reflects sunlight.

● When ice melts, it exposes land and water, which absorb more heat.

● This leads to more warming. And This creates a feedback loop: more melting ice means more heat, which melts even more ice.

b) Weaker Convection in the Arctic

● Convection occurs when warm air rises.

● In the Arctic, convection was weaker because of less sunlight.

● This means that extra heat from greenhousegases stays near the surface, making the Arctic even warmer.

c) Ocean and Wind Patterns

● Changes in ocean currents and wind patterns helps bring warm air to the Arctic.

● For example, jet streams can let warm air from the south to reach the Arctic.

Impact of Arctic Warming

Melting Arctic ice raise sea levels, increasing the risk of flooding.
Melting ice also changes weather patterns, leading to extreme weathers such as colds, heatwaves and heavy rainfall.
Warming in the Arctic can affect global ocean currents such as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC).
This can disrupt weather patterns and affect food production and water supplies around the world.
Warming in the Arctic is part of a cycle.
As the ice melts, more heat is absorbed and causes more ice to melt, warming the region even more.

Conclusion

The extreme heat at the North Pole shows how quickly the Arctic is changing. These changes could have serious global effects on weather and sea levels. Urgent action is needed to reduce greenhouse gases and slow climate change.

Source:

IndianExpress

Practice Question:

Q. With reference to the unusual warming of temperatures at the North Pole, consider the following statements:

On February 2, 2025, temperatures at the North Pole were recorded 20°C above average due to extreme weather patterns.
The Arctic has warmed 4 times faster than the global average since 1979, a phenomenon known as Arctic amplification.
The melting of Arctic ice has no impact on global sea levels or weather patterns.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: On February 2, 2025, the temperature at the North Pole was 20°C above average, driven by extreme warming and unusual weather patterns.
Statement 2 is correct: Since 1979, the Arctic has warmed 4 times faster than the global average, a phenomenon called Arctic amplification.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The melting of Arctic ice significantly impacts global sea levels, and it also contributes to disruptions in weather patterns, including extreme weather events like heatwaves and heavy rainfall.