March 2022 in Antarctica observed an exceptional heatwave that had never before been experienced with temperatures that had soared 40°C (72°F) above what use to be the usual seasonal averages before. This unexpected and never before experienced incident had been recorded as one the most significant deviation to ever be recorded.
This event has signaled climate shift on a global scale and has been extremely alarming. It was initially detected by the Concordia-Dome C research facility in East Antarctica on March 18, 2022 and the data was shared to the public for everyone’s notice.
Typically, Concordia’s yearly temperatures average around -55°C (-67°F), ranging from -30°C (-22°F) in summer to a bone-chilling -80°C (-112°F) in winter. March, marking Antarctica’s transition into winter, usually sees temperatures around -50°C (-58°F). However, in 2022, the station experienced an astounding 40°C (72°F) above the usual seasonal average, with a record high of -9.4°C (-15.08°F).
The heatwave was not localized but instead affected a vast expanse, with an estimated 3.3 million square kilometers (1.21 square miles) of East Antarctica witnessing temperatures surpassing previous March records. This surge in warmth triggered considerable ice melt along the coastline, leading to a historic low in sea-ice extent and possibly contributing to the collapse of the Conger Ice Shelf.
This exceptional anomaly was propelled by intense tropical cyclone activity in the Indian Ocean, which transported warm, moisture-laden air into the heart of Antarctica. Furthermore, an intrusion of atmospheric rivers trapped heat in the lower atmosphere, intensifying the warming effect.
This extraordinary occurrence underscores the intricate interplay between climate change and the urgent necessity for understanding its ramifications on Earth’s systems.
Dr. Tom Bracegirdle, a co-author of the study, stresses the imperative of comprehending how climate change will impact the frequency and severity of extreme events both in Antarctica and globally. This event serves as a stark reminder that such anomalies are not isolated incidents but rather indicative of a broader trend influenced by global warming.
“Across the globe, extreme temperature and weather events are breaking records by wide margins – and this event shows that Antarctica is not immune from this emerging trend,” Dr Tom Bracegirdle said in a statement.
“Extreme events are a key aspect of understanding how Earth’s systems and frozen places will respond to global warming, and on what timeline. It is critical that we improve our understanding of how climate change will influence the severity and frequency of extreme events in Antarctica.”