Robot Pirate Ninja

Benjamin Strauss: Summer Solstice Meets Record Low Arctic Ice

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/benjamin-strauss/summer-solstice-meets-les_b_619416.html
–

One of the most dramatic changes on Earth’s surface each year is the winter growth and summer melt-back of Arctic sea ice — like a giant white flower opening and closing over the top of the world. Based on satellite measurements taken during a baseline period from 1980-2000, the ice covering the Arctic Ocean ranges from an average late winter peak of about 6 million square miles (more than twice the area of the lower 48 states), to a typical late summer minimum of well less than half of that. The melt is in full swing by the summer solstice each year, when the baseline ice extent averages about 4.6 million square miles.

But this year, according to NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center, the melt-back reached that level by June 1, three weeks early, and since that time, has been at record low levels for the period. This is particularly remarkable because throughout April, daily ice extents hovered very close to average baseline levels (as noted at the time by some commentators eager to suggest the globe is not warming). In other words, the ice retreated with exceptional speed this May — a speed close to the average melt rate of July.

–

Note: I mention that second paragraph for those who brought it to my attention a few months ago. I’m absolutley polsitive they won’t get an email forward with the clarification, so I thought I would include it here.