Overview

• The North Pole experienced an extreme winter warming event, with temperatures rising over 20°C above seasonal averages, surpassing the freezing point.
• Researchers attribute the event to a low-pressure system near Iceland and unusually warm northeastern Atlantic sea temperatures.
• A study projects that Arctic summers could become sea-ice-free under 2.7°C of global warming, with permafrost thaw and Greenland Ice Sheet melt accelerating sea level rise.
• The Arctic's rapid warming amplifies global climate change as melting ice and permafrost release greenhouse gases, further heating the planet.
• Experts stress the need for urgent mitigation and adaptation measures as current climate pledges are insufficient to prevent severe long-term impacts.