Melting Arctic ice is already causing extreme weather affecting millions of individuals living in Asia, Europe and North America, according to climate scientists. The melting sea ice, which has been accelerating since the 1970s, will cause more frequent heat waves, droughts, floods and rising seas, scientists say. The northern ice cap has been melting since the 1970s, but recent warming has been particularly severe, with parts of the Russian Arctic experiencing temperatures 33C above average. Ice levels reached their lowest recorded measurements in November, leading some scientists to predict that the worst weather, including enormous superstorms and hurricanes, may still be to come.
Melting Arctic ice is already causing extreme weather affecting millions of individuals living in Asia, Europe and North America, according to climate scientists. Researchers say that increasing polar temperatures are responsible for “snowmageddon” winters and are probably driving heatwaves and heavy floods. The northern ice cap has been melting since the 1970s, but recent warming has been particularly severe, with parts of the Russian Arctic experiencing temperatures 33C above average. Ice levels reached their lowest recorded measurements in November, leading some scientists to predict that the worst weather, including enormous superstorms and hurricanes, may still be to come.