The annual Arctic study showed serious environmental changes. Key indicators of the region are out of balance: the atmosphere is becoming more humid, the area of snow cover and glaciers is decreasing, and the thawing of permafrost is causing an increase in carbon dioxide emissions. This is reported by Bloomberg, citing the annual report of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration called Arctic Report Card, reports UNN.
Details
Among the most important observations, scientists noted that from October 2024 to September 2025, the surface air temperature in the Arctic was the highest in at least 125 years (hydrologists usually measure the year from October 1 to September 30 to better align it with seasonal precipitation and snowmelt cycles).
During this period, precipitation reached a record level since 1950, and the atmosphere in the region generally became more humid.
In addition, summer sea surface temperatures were among the highest on record, with some areas exceeding 1991–2020 averages by 7°C in August.
Over the past 10 years, the Arctic has recorded the highest temperatures on record. Warm Atlantic waters have advanced into the central Arctic Ocean, accelerating ice melt. Less ice and faster snowmelt contribute to further warming, and thawing permafrost releases more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
During this period, precipitation reached a record level since 1950, and the atmosphere over the Arctic became more humid.
Summer sea surface temperatures in most of the region were among the highest on record: in August, in some areas, they exceeded the 1991–2020 averages by 7°C.
Maximum sea ice cover in March was the smallest in 47 years of satellite data, and summer cover decreased by 28% compared to two decades ago.
The oldest and thickest ice (four years and older) has decreased by more than 95% since the 1980s. The total snow cover area in June was half of what it was in the 1960s.
In addition, the Greenland ice sheet has shown a decrease in mass every year since the late 1990s.
Recall
Glaciers in the European Alps will reach the fastest rate of melting over the next eight years, with more than 100 of them disappearing by 2033. This is one of the most obvious manifestations of the climate crisis caused by anthropogenic global warming.
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