Climate: an unprecedented heat wave recorded in Antarctica

Antarctica is the coldest place on earth. It is not uncommon for temperatures to drop to -80 degrees. But Friday, March 18, a heat record was recorded: -11.8 degrees. A data that left the researchers stunned. “This are completely abnormal temperatures for this month of March. Normally average temperatures are around -55 degrees”explains Julian Witwickyglaciologist at the station Concordia-Antarctica.

The glaciologist immortalized the moment by Pictures. Ihe mild temperatures caused snowfall, a rare event in these areas. About ten centimeters of snow fell, the equivalent of a year of precipitation. This heat stroke is due to a meteorological phenomenon called “atmospheric river”. It is a long corridor of warm, humid air, made up of a large amount of water vapour. It is not possible to associate this phenomenon with global warming, but it is certain that the disruption of the planet favors these heat waves.