Alarm as Arctic sea ice not yet freezing at latest date on record

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Exposing the Big Game's avatarThe Extinction Chronicles

Delayed freeze in Laptev Sea could have knock-on effects across polar region, scientists say

Jonathan Watts Global environment editor @jonathanwatts

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/22/alarm-as-arctic-sea-ice-not-yet-freezing-at-latest-date-on-record

Thu 22 Oct 202006.26EDTLast modified on Thu 22 Oct 202009.19EDT

Sea Ice crystals
Climate change is pushing warmer Atlantic currents into the Arctic and breaking up the usual stratification between warm deep waters and the cool surface. This also makes it difficult for ice to form. Photograph: Alamy Stock Photo

For the first time since records began, the main nursery ofArcticsea ice in Siberia has yet to start freezing in late October.

The delayed annual freeze in the Laptev Sea has been caused by freakishly protracted warmth in northernRussiaand the intrusion of Atlantic waters, say climate scientists who warn of possible knock-on effects across the polar region.

Ocean temperatures in the area recently climbed to more than 5C above average, followinga record breaking heatwaveand the unusually…

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