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Arctic Melt Season Length Levels Off
A NASA-led study found that the Arctic sea ice melt season, which lengthened significantly for decades, unexpectedly stabilized around 2010.
Why it matters
This suggests the Arctic has entered a new phase where annual weather patterns exert a stronger influence on ice melt than they once did.
The details
Arctic warming continues at nearly four times the global average rate. Most of the melt season increase occurred before 2010, and current ice is thinner and younger than the previous multiyear ice.
What's next
Researchers will continue using satellite observations to determine if this stabilization is a lasting change or a temporary pause.
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Key connections
Linette Boisvert works at Goddard Space Flight Center
Linette Boisvert, a co-author on the study and ice scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
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