By Tammie Souza, FOX 32 News Weekend Meteorologist - bio | email
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
Scientists report that sea ice on the Arctic Ocean is melting at a faster rate than ever recorded before.
In addition the land-based ice covering Greenland is on pace for record melting as well. Satellite photos have shown 97% of the Greenland ice has experienced melting this summer and although some of that ice does refreeze much of it flows into the open seas. Final numbers for the amount of melted ice won't be available until after the summer season ends in September.
If the melting trend continues some climate experts warn that sea levels could rise as much as 3 feet by 2050. The faster melting has been tied to both rising air and water temperatures in the surrounding Arctic.
In addition when the ice does refreeze it is darker in color and that absorbs more light allowing the ice to heat faster which leads to more melting.
Tuesday, January 22 2013 2:26 PM EST2013-01-22 19:26:59 GMT
Chicago ended an impressive 711 day streak without a sub-zero temperature Tuesday morning. That is the 4th longest such stretch since records began in 1871.
Chicago ended an impressive 711 day streak without a sub-zero temperature Tuesday morning. That is the 4th longest such stretch since records began in 1871.
Friday, January 18 2013 11:18 PM EST2013-01-19 04:18:05 GMT
Frigid Arctic air has been pent up across the Hudson Bay area for several weeks now stuck under the influence a strong polar area of low pressure also known as the "polar vortex."
Frigid Arctic air has been pent up across the Hudson Bay area for several weeks now stuck under the influence a strong polar area of low pressure also known as the "polar vortex."
Friday, January 18 2013 3:41 PM EST2013-01-18 20:41:23 GMT
The U.S. drought of 2012 is considered the worst since the 1950s, but there appears to be some brief relief.
The U.S. drought of 2012 is considered the worst since the 1950s, but there appears to be some brief relief thanks to recent soaking rains stretching from the south through the southeast and the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic states.
Monday, December 3 2012 7:18 PM EST2012-12-04 00:18:16 GMT
Warm, moist air streamed into the Chicago area today and although we were blanketed in fog and clouds, the temperatures soared to record highs between 68 and 72 degrees.
Warm, moist air streamed into the Chicago area today and although we were blanketed in fog and clouds, the temperatures soared to record highs between 68 and 72 degrees.
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute
