2012 now goes on record as the year that is showing the largest arctic ice melt, even before the usual September melt prior to the winter season.

Typically there is an arctic melt that occurs every September, just prior to the cooling and is effected by the sun passing through the equinox. This year’s arctic melt is unprecedented with not only an earlier time than expected but the quantity of arctic melt. Scientists studying long term arctic climate change attributes this drastic melt to weather patterns that have passed over the arctic regions and raised the average temperature from one to three degrees above the normal at this time of year. The data that has been collected by Arctic ROOS (Arctic Regional Ocean Observing System) is used to analyze oceanic systems, effects on marine life and the future conditions of the world’s seas.

Sources:
http://www.rttnews.com/1954029/arctic-sea-ice-at-record-minimum-ahead-of-melt-back-season.aspx
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=78994&src=fb

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