Record “heatwave” in Antarctica as temperatures surge 30 °C (54 °F) above normal
Image credit: GFS/ClimateReanalyzer
Surface temperatures in parts of Antarctica have surged nearly 30 °C (54 °F) above normal recently, causing what scientists call an Antarctic “heatwave.” This temperature anomaly is described as “a near-record (or record) event for the region” by Edward Blanchard, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Washington.
Surface temperatures in parts of Antarctica have surged nearly 30 °C (54 °F) above normal recently, creating what scientists call an Antarctic “heatwave.”
“A near-record (or record) event for the region of Antarctica where it is having the greatest impact,” said Edward Blanchard, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Washington. “It is affecting a large portion of East Antarctica, which makes up the bulk of the continent,” he added.
Winter temperatures in Antarctica average around -20 °C (-4 °F), with peaks reaching -70 °C to -80 °C (-94 °F to -112 °F). However, several stations in Antarctica have recently recorded temperatures 20 °C to 30 °C (36 °F to 54 °F) above normal, marking one of the highest positive temperature anomalies on the planet.
“The heatwave in the Antarctic Plateau is extraordinary more for its duration than its intensity, although some values are notable,” said Stefano Di Battista, an Antarctic temperature analyst.
The South Pole station had its warmest July since 2002, with temperatures about 6.3 °C (43.3 °F) above average according to Di Battista.
The Antarctic heat wave is also affecting Vostok, with the maximum recorded -34.1 °C (−29.38 °F) on August 6 almost reaching the monthly extreme record of -33.9 °C (−37.02 °F) recorded on August 26, 1985.
On August 5, -35.3 °C was recorded at the South Pole Station. This value is close to the monthly maximum reached twice: on August 3, 1963 and on August 25, 2023 with -32.5 °C
— Stefano Di Battista (@pinturicchio_60) August 6, 2024
Pic by https://t.co/MbZirxzqaK pic.twitter.com/qfWqYvOIhc
— Alessandro Stefani (@Alessan38654886) August 6, 2024
The cause of this “heatwave” remains unclear, but scientists suggest it may be linked to atmospheric changes about 30 km (18.6 miles) above the surface in the stratosphere. This year a rare Sudden Stratospheric Warming event over Antarctica, led to increased high-altitude temperatures and affected the lower atmosphere.
The weakened polar vortex has disturbed the jet stream, allowing cold air normally confined near the South Pole to drift north, causing temperatures to rise dramatically near the South Pole.
The Antarctic Oscillation; a variable related to the belt of wind and low pressure around Antarctica, has reached rare low values. This negative phase has weakened the wind belt, enabling cold air to escape northwards. As a result, areas like New Zealand, southern Africa, and southern South America have experienced colder conditions, while East Antarctica has warmed.
The disturbance of the polar vortex and the unusual negative Antarctic Oscillation are expected to impact Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, and other countries in the Southern Hemisphere. Numerical models indicate an influx of cold air into South America, bringing very cold weather to the South of Brazil and potentially causing rain in typically dry areas of the Center-West and Southeast regions.
Contrarily Antarctica was struck by a cold snap in July experiencing extremely low temperatures in some parts; weather stations at Dome Fuji recorded -82.1 °C (-115.8 °F) on July 17, the second-lowest July temperature on record.
References:
1 TEMPERATURA 30ºC ACIMA DO NORMAL NA ANTÁRTIDA TERÁ IMPACTO NO BRASIL – Metsul – August 5, 2024
Rishav is a skilled researcher specializing in extreme and severe weather reporting. He combines exceptional research capabilities with scientific precision to deliver clear, data-driven articles. Known for uncovering critical information, Rishav ensures his work is accurate, insightful, and impactful. His passion for both science and literature fuels his dedication to producing high-quality news articles. You can reach him at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
The Weakening of Earth’s Magnetic Field is the Real Reason for the Rapid Warming of the World’s Oceans
Earlier studies estimated that the Arctic region is warming around twice as fast as the global average. Yet, recent studies have found this figure to be wrong by a huge margin (hugely underestimated). Actually, in the last 45 years, the Arctic region has warmed almost 4 times faster than the rest of the planet, while the South Pole is warming three times faster than the global rate. On the other hand, since 2016, the Atlantic Ocean especially its northern part, has warmed faster than other ocean basins in the top 100 meters of ocean. Nonetheless, the real reason for the rapid warming of these regions is because of the huge decline in the strength of Earth’s magnetic field, and the enormous flow of thermal energy from Earth’s interior into the upper layers. Back in 2014, data from Swarm (three specialized satellites) revealed that Earth’s magnetic field has weakened 10 times faster than expected. It was astonishing data, totally unexpected and unexplained by the current model that relies on self-generating dynamo. Specifically, Swarm found the biggest decline in the strength of Earth’s magnetic field around the Arctic regions, the North Atlantic Ocean and also within the South Atlantic, as the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) shows. The decline in the strength of Earth’s magnetic field, definitely implies that these regions would receive more solar radiation from above, and higher flow of thermal energy from the interior than when the field was strong and stable. Hence, one can say conclusively, Polar that the rapid weakening of Earth’s magnetic field was the real cause that made the Regions, and those close to them warmed faster in comparison to other regions of the planet. However, the most fundamental reason why the pseudoscience theory of greenhouse gases is the name of the game-in addition of course to the widespread corruption of our society-is because of the lack of understanding the most important scientific facts about the most important astronomical objects to us, namely, our own planet and star. Basically, the origin and mechanism of the magnetic fields of the Earth and the Sun, including the reason for their reversal are currently mysteries and will remain mysteries forever without revising the current laws of gravity.
Read my research paper https://www.gsjournal.net/Science-Journals/Research%20Papers/View/9919
“Pseudoscience is easier to contrive than science, because distracting confrontations with reality–where we cannot control the outcome of the comparison–are more readily avoided. The standards of argument, what passes for evidence, are much more relaxed. In part for the same reasons, it is much easier to present pseudoscience to the general public than science.”
“Thus says The Lord: Peoples of the earth, why do you corrupt and pollute My garden?! You have made it as the dunghill! Thus you have signed your own certificate, and with death you are in agreement.
And though you walk as if you will live forever, I tell you the truth, you are already dead. For you have surely crossed the threshold; behold, you have reached the point of no return. Yet in your arrogance, you continue to forsake your Maker and Him who has given you breath, holding fast to the wide path which leads to destruction. Therefore, judgment waits for you on the horizon; calamity and desolations shall increase by measure, as the sun sets upon this age of men.
Peoples of the earth and all leaders among men, hear the Word of The Lord, for thus says The Lord: Your knowledge is useless, all your achievements are in vain, and shall come to nothing in the Day of The Lord’s Anger! For as it is written: I shall surely punish this world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity. I will put an end to the arrogance of the proud, and utterly humiliate the haughtiness of the tyrant, the mighty, and the terrible.
Therefore, turn from this wicked way you have chosen! Repent, and kiss The Son, that you may live and not die! For I AM HE!… He who raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy out of the dunghill, says The Lord.”
(From The Volumes of Truth, Volume Two, an excerpt from “The Wide Path”)
“By making pronouncements that are, even if only in principle, testable, religions, however unwillingly, enter the arena of science. Religions can no longer make unchallenged assertions about reality.”
And??
So???
Wait until the North/South Poles go TROPICAL…….AGAIN; as they’ve been, many times before.
If one follows REAL Science, they’d know that our poles are shifting/moving; as has happened many times, throughout our planets History…….as part of a NORMAL, NATURAL CYCLE.
I don’t know about Antarctica, but the last time Greenland was ice-free was a half million years ago, some 200,000 years before homosapiens existed.
The axis of the Earth (the poles) are not shifting, although the magnetic field will indeed someday reverse. How this relates to weather is unknown.
I’m glad you seem to acknowledge that the climate is changing (warming), rather than deny your own senses/experience. It is however incorrect to call the consequences of human activity “natural” – natural specifically means “not made or caused by humankind”.
The atmosphere has been RAPIDLY and DANGEROUSLY altered by our pollution. We know this because we can measure it – both the exact kinds of pollution (most notably C13) as well as the long term temperature changes. This is not “normal” – and if we keep it up, this warming will lead to the extinction of most species, possibly our own.
At least pretend you care.
“So here is a sense in which the nations who deal with this problem have to make a change from their traditional concern about themselves and not about the planet and the species—a change from the traditional short-term objectives to longer-term objectives. And we have to bear in mind that in problems like this, the initial stages of global temperature increase, one region of the planet might benefit while other regions of the planet suffer, and there has to be a kind of trading off of benefits and suffering, and that requires a degree of international amity which certainly doesn’t exist today.” Testifying before Congress in 1985