Friday February 14, 2020
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January was the warmest January in the world since weather records began. This is also noticeable at the South Pole: Researchers have reported a new temperature record in Antarctica – with direct consequences for sea levels.
The Antarctic is currently warmer than ever. As the Brazilian soil scientist Carlos Schaefer reports, a temperature of 20.75 degrees was measured on the northern tip of Antarctica on February 9. “There has never been such a high temperature in the Antarctic,” said Schaefer. This was the first time the 20-degree mark was passed.
The temperature measurement at the Marambio research station in Argentina is part of a 20-year research project on the effects of climate change on permafrost in the region.
Schaefer emphasizes that the temperature record does not allow any conclusions to be drawn regarding future climate developments. It is just a data point.
Always new records
Just a week ago, the Argentine Weather Agency had the warmest day in Antarctica since weather records started. A temperature of 18.3 degrees was measured at the Esperanza research station. Argentina has been present in the Antarctic for 114 years and has been documenting the temperatures on the continent at several research stations since 1961.
According to the UN, the past decade has been the warmest on Antarctica since records began. The melting of the glaciers and ice sheets in Antarctica as a result of global warming is the main factor behind the rise in sea levels worldwide. The sea level has been loud for the past 100 years Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research already increased by 19 centimeters.
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