Erratic Weather Changes

January 1, 2009

Sea ice levels had been lower throughout much of 2008, but rapidly recovered in the last quarter. In fact, the rate of increase from September onward, is the fastest rate of change on record, either upwards or downwards.

Earlier this year, predictions were rife, that the North Pole could melt entirely in 2008. Instead, the Arctic ice saw a substantial recovery.
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World temperatures have dropped to levels not seen since 2000, the World Meteorological Organization, or WMO, reports.

The U.N. weather agency also claims, ice volume in the Arctic region has plunged to the lowest ever recorded.

The season strongly reinforced the 30-year downward trend, in the extent of Arctic Sea ice."

Scientists warn, that since 1993, summer Arctic sea ice has lost an area equivalent to the combined size, of Alaska, California, and Texas.