The Arctic, particularly the Svalbard archipelago, is undergoing a rapid and unprecedented transformation in its winter climate. February 2025 recorded temperatures far above historical averages, with frequent above-freezing days leading to snow and ice melt. This warming is not a one-time event but part of a recurring trend linked to human-induced climate change. The changes are reshaping Arctic winters and affecting ecosystems, wildlife, and human activities.
Record Winter Temperatures in Svalbard
Recently, Ny-Ålesund in northwest Svalbard experienced an average temperature of -3.3°C, much higher than the 1961-2001 average. On 14 days, temperatures rose above 0°C, with a maximum of 4.7°C recorded. Such sustained warmth in mid-winter is unprecedented. This caused prolonged rainfall and widespread melting of snow and ice, unusual for the typically frigid Arctic winters.
Causes of Accelerated Arctic Winter Warming
The Arctic is warming fastest during winter due to feedback mechanisms. Sea ice loss in summer allows the ocean to absorb more heat. This heat is released back into the atmosphere in winter, raising air temperatures. Increased moisture leads to more cloud cover, which traps heat and prevents temperatures from dropping. These processes amplify warming, making winters in Svalbard six to seven times warmer than the global average rate.
Environmental Impact of Winter Thawing
The thawing has led to the formation of meltwater pools over frozen ground and reduced snow cover on tundra and glaciers. Vegetation appeared through melting snow, signalling a shift towards spring-like conditions in winter. Meltwater refreezes underground, creating impermeable ice crusts that block gas exchange between soil and atmosphere. This affects soil microbes and increases methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas.
Effects on Wildlife and Ecosystems
Ice crusts over the tundra reduce access to winter forage for reindeer and other herbivores, threatening their survival. Changes in snow and ice conditions disrupt habitats and food availability. The altered winter landscape challenges the resilience of Arctic species adapted to long, cold winters.
Risks to Human Infrastructure and Research
Warming winters destabilise snowpacks, increasing avalanche risks in populated areas like Ny-Ålesund. Thawing permafrost undermines building foundations, forcing reinforcement of research stations. These changes threaten the safety and feasibility of ongoing Arctic scientific research, which has been conducted in Svalbard for over fifty years.
Future Projections and Recurring Trends
The warming episodes seen in February 2025 are expected to increase in frequency and intensity. Climate models predict continued loss of sea ice and further winter warming. This will deepen the active layer of permafrost and enhance environmental and social challenges in the Arctic region.
Questions for UPSC:
- Discuss in the light of climate change how Arctic feedback mechanisms accelerate regional warming and their global implications.
- Critically examine the impact of permafrost thawing on Arctic ecosystems and indigenous communities with suitable examples.
- Explain the role of sea ice in regulating polar climates and how its decline affects global weather patterns.
- With suitable examples, discuss the challenges posed by climate change to scientific research infrastructure in extreme environments like the Arctic.
