So shocking and rare was the event, it blew the minds of the Antarctic climate science community. If a future heatwave arrives in summer – which is more likely under climate change – the results could be catastrophic. Less heartwarmingly, the extraordinary heatwave shows how compounding weather events in the tropics can affect the vast Antarctic ice sheet. This loss of sea ice was exacerbated this year resulting in the lowest summer and winter sea ice ever recorded. And reminds us all, that delays to action on climate change will raise the price we pay.

Source: The Hindu January 17, 2024 01:46 UTC