Shrinking Sea Ice may cause Colder Springs

 

As Northern Hemisphere temperatures remain below normal more than a week into the official start of spring, a team of meteorologists and climate scientists are pointing to recent research that suggests sea ice cover is a likely culprit. Recent imaging from the U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center showed a historic minimum in Arctic ice cover last fall, and current data reveals that sea ice cover – which recently reached its maximum for the year – is at its sixth lowest extent in the satellite record. In a strange twist, less Arctic sea ice – which is caused by global warming – alters atmospheric circulation in a way that leads to more snow and ice at lower altitudes.