Rain used to be rare in the Arctic, but as the region warms, so-called rain-on-snow events are becoming more common. The rains accelerate ice loss, trigger flooding, landslides, and avalanches, and create problems for wildlife and the Indigenous people who depend on them.
Arctic
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Convergence Science in the Arctic
Focusing on climate change and industrialization in Siberia’s Yamal Peninsula, researchers developed science questions that aim to reach far beyond any single discipline.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
A Better Way to Predict Arctic Riverbank Erosion
Permafrost thaw might cause Arctic riverbanks to erode more quickly. But a new study shows why these erosion rates aren’t as dramatic as some scientists feared.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Northern Permafrost Region Emits More Greenhouse Gases Than It Captures
Permafrost underlies a quarter of the Northern Hemisphere. A comprehensive analysis shows that the area may have shifted from a sink to a source of greenhouse gases, bringing a longtime prediction to fruition.
Posted inNews
Melting Ice in the Polar North Drives Weather in Europe
Influxes of meltwater into the North Atlantic eventually lead to warmer and drier conditions over Europe.
Posted inNews
Climate Change Is Weakening River Seasonality in the North
Seasonal flow variability is decreasing as climate change alters Earth’s systems, creating challenges for water management.
Posted inScience Updates
Monitoring Polar Ice Change in the Twilight Zone
Landsat’s new extended data collection program is mapping Arctic and Antarctic regions year-round, even in polar twilight.
Posted inFeatures
Bridging Gaps Between the Geosciences and National Security
The geoscience community and national security agencies need effective, two-way communication to exchange information.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Glaciers Rise and Fall—and Melt—with Tides
The effect of ocean water creeping beneath Greenland ice is stronger than scientists realized.
Posted inNews
Another Record-Breaking Year in the Arctic Amplifies Calls for More Data
A downward spiral of the Arctic’s ecological health and climatic conditions continued in 2023, causing problems for people, plants, and animals, according to a new NOAA report.