Once in century heat wave in Greenland
(MENAFN) Greenland’s ice sheet has been melting at a pace 17 times faster than usual during a recent heat wave in May, according to findings from the scientific group World Weather Attribution (WWA).
“Temperatures over Iceland as observed this May are record-breaking, more than 13 degrees Celsius hotter than the 1991-2020 average May daily maximum temperatures,” the WWA said.
Reports from meteorological authorities indicate that 84% of the country’s weather stations documented record-setting temperatures for May.
In eastern Greenland, the peak temperature during the heat wave exceeded preindustrial levels by 3.9 degrees Celsius, according to the WWA.
The network emphasized that the temperatures seen in May in both Iceland and Greenland would typically only occur once every century.
Heat waves in regions known for their cold climate, like Greenland and Iceland, pose unique challenges. “In Greenland and Iceland, infrastructure is built for cold weather, meaning during a heat wave, ice melt can lead to flooding and damage roads and infrastructure,” the WWA explained.
On May 15, temperatures in Iceland rose above 26 degrees Celsius—an exceptionally rare event for the region.
In Iceland, the excessive heat caused bitumen on roads to bleed, creating dangerous driving conditions. Meanwhile, in Greenland, the warmer air temperatures contributed to sea ice breaking up, threatening local communities that rely on it for hunting, fishing, and travel.
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