Greenland records its warmest January on record... shocking record numbers
In an exceptional climate phenomenon reflecting the accelerating pace of global warming, the Greenlandic capital, Nuuk, recorded its warmest January on record last month, breaking records that had stood for over a century. This unprecedented rise in temperatures once again highlights the dramatic changes occurring in the Arctic region, which is considered the first line of defense in the global climate system.
Record-breaking numbers shatter the norm
According to the Danish Meteorological Institute, the west coast of the Arctic island experienced a significant rise in temperatures. The capital, Nuuk, recorded an average monthly temperature of 0.1 degrees Celsius, exceeding the normal average for this time of year by 7.8 degrees Celsius. This new record surpassed the previous record set 109 years ago, in 1917, by 1.4 degrees Celsius. The warmest day of the month saw temperatures reach 11.3 degrees Celsius – spring-like weather in the heart of the Arctic winter.
The warm spell wasn't limited to the capital; it extended to other areas as well. In Ilulissat, located in Disco Bay, the average temperature reached -1.6 degrees Celsius. While this may seem freezing, it's 11 degrees Celsius above the normal January average, breaking the record set in 1929.
Scientific context: Why is the Arctic warming up?
Scientists attribute this phenomenon to what is known as "Arctic Amplification." Recent studies, including one published in the journal Nature in 2022, indicate that the Arctic region has been warming at more than four times the global average since 1979. This acceleration is partly due to the melting of sea ice, which exposes darker ocean waters that absorb the sun's heat instead of reflecting it, creating a vicious cycle of warming.
Martin Olsen, a climate researcher at the Danish Institute, explained that the continuation of warm air waves for long periods over these vast areas is a "clear indicator" of radical climate changes, stressing that the general trend clearly indicates continued warming and a decrease in very cold days.
Local and global repercussions
This rise in temperatures has serious repercussions that extend far beyond Greenland. Locally, the melting ice threatens the traditional livelihoods of the island's inhabitants, as fishermen rely on the solid ice for transportation and fishing. Globally, the melting of Greenland's ice sheet is a major driver of sea-level rise, threatening coastal cities worldwide.
These record numbers come at a time when parts of Europe and North America have experienced severe cold waves, highlighting the stark contrasts and disruptions in weather patterns caused by climate change, as the weather becomes more extreme and less predictable.
