Ice at North Pole in summer?

In summary: Wv-N-N4ja4 In summary, this man flew his plane to the North Pole and found that it was open water in summer.
  • #1
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I'm trying to find information on whether there has been summer ice at the North Pole the last few years. I've found a couple old articles that indicate scientists predicted no summer ice. Did this in fact happen and is it predicted again for this coming summer? Does that mean the North Pole is open water in summer?
 
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  • #2
The pole is never ice-free, though the margins of the ice-cap are progressively receding.
 
  • #3
To date, the North Pole has always had pack ice since satellite observations began in 1979, but leads (open water) can occur almost anywhere in the ice pack. These are local and transient. You can see satellite data on the polar ice caps (updated daily) at:

http://arctic.atmos.uiuc.edu/cryosphere/.

EDIT: As far as predictions go, recent years have seen record lows in the minimum summer Arctic ice area, the record being set in 2007. I don't think specific year to year reliable predictions are possible as to the actual future extent of the summer pack ice.

http://articles.cnn.com/2007-09-11/tech/arctic.ice.cover_1_sea-ice-national-snow-mark-serreze?_s=PM:TECH [Broken]
 
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  • #4
Yes there is summer ice. Under this paragraph, you will see the map for summer, it is the September map which reflects the entire summer's melting. There are additional yearly maps farther down.

Ice thickness, its spatial extent, and the fraction of open water within the ice pack can vary rapidly and profoundly in response to weather and climate. Sea ice typically covers about 14 to 16 million square kilometers in late winter in the Arctic and 17 to 20 million square kilometers in the Antarctic Southern Ocean. On average, the seasonal decrease is much larger in the Antarctic, with only about 3 to 4 million square kilometers remaining at summer's end, compared to approximately 7 million square kilometers in the Arctic. Over the past several years, Arctic minima have been only 4 to 6 million square kilometers. These maps provide examples of late winter and late summer ice cover in the two hemispheres.

http://nsidc.org/sotc/sea_ice.html
 
  • #5
Thanks for that link ! I lost it some months ago during an over-aggressive culling of 'favourites'...
 
  • #6
Greg Bernhardt said:
I'm trying to find information on whether there has been summer ice at the North Pole

Already planning Summer trip?
 
  • #7
Borek said:
Already planning Summer trip?
Yay! Hopefully not expecting penguins. :rofl:
 
  • #8

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1. Is there still ice at the North Pole in the summer?

Yes, there is still ice at the North Pole in the summer. While there is less ice compared to the winter, the Arctic experiences a phenomenon called the "ice minimum" where the ice cover reaches its smallest extent in September.

2. Why is there ice at the North Pole in the summer?

The North Pole is located within the Arctic Circle, where the climate is much colder compared to other parts of the world. Even in the summer, the temperatures at the North Pole rarely rise above freezing, allowing for ice to persist.

3. How does the amount of ice at the North Pole in the summer compare to previous years?

The amount of ice at the North Pole in the summer varies from year to year. However, in recent years, there has been a significant decrease in the amount of summer ice due to climate change. This trend is concerning as it can have a significant impact on the Arctic ecosystem and global climate patterns.

4. Can you walk on the ice at the North Pole in the summer?

While it is possible to walk on the ice at the North Pole in the summer, it is not recommended. The ice can be unstable and unpredictable, and there are also safety concerns such as polar bears and crevasses. It is always best to have a guide or trained professional when exploring the Arctic.

5. How does the ice at the North Pole in the summer affect global sea levels?

The ice at the North Pole in the summer does not directly affect global sea levels as it is already floating on the ocean. However, the melting of Arctic ice can contribute to overall sea level rise by adding more water to the oceans. This can have significant consequences for coastal communities and low-lying areas around the world.

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