Arctic Sea Ice Re-Freezing at Record Pace

The Daily Green ^ | December 12, 2007 | Dan Shapely

[america4vr]

The record melting of Arctic sea ice observed this summer and fall led to record-low levels of ice in both September and October, but a record-setting pace of re-freezing in November, according to the NASA Earth Observatory. Some 58,000 square miles of ice formed per day for 10 days in late October and early November, a new record.

Still, the extent of sea ice recorded in November was well shy of the median extent observed over the past quarter century, as the image from Nov. 14 (above, right) shows. The dramatic increase in ice is evident, when compared to the record-low amount observed Sept. 16 (below, right). In both images, 100% sea ice is shown in white, and the yellow line encompasses the area ion which there was at least 15% ice cover in at least half of the 25-year record for the given month.

The record melting of Arctic sea ice this summer was widely viewed as a harbinger of global warming, though unusual wind patterns played a role and many factors affecting fluctuations in Arctic ice are poorly understood by scientists. The area of persistent open water north of Alaska and eastern Siberia, according to NASA, is unusual for this time of year, though not unprecedented. This area was also largely free of ice in November 2002 and especially November 2006.

Here's how NASA explains the record re-growth of ice over that 10-day period in October and November:

Record sea ice growth rates after a record low may sound surprising at first, but it is not completely unexpected. The more ice that survives the summer melt, the less open water there is for new ice to grow.

[RC2]

This is why Al Gore is ramping everything up. When he first started all this crap, he said we only have ten years left. Then he reduced it to five years and now, in Bali, he wants to get his ideas in place within two years. Time is running out for him to make more money. Follow the money and you’ll understand his time lines.

[lepton]

If its Global Warming, why is the ice freezing faster to the north and not to the south?

well, it's been expanding in the south too. It just wasn't being reported because they could report the melting in the north - which seemed to have been related to winds pushing ice up north on one side of the Arctic, and south into warmer areas on the other side of the Arctic; and an extraordinary lack of cloud-cover for much of the Arctic summer.

[Abathar]

I know that... I meant during comparitable times over the years totals.

[Gritty]

[Corporate Law]

He will find a way to spin this to keep the revenues flowing in on his carbon credit scam.

[shield]

Our Creator knows what His creation needs. The wackos do not have a clue.

[randog]

...and an extraordinary lack of cloud-cover for much of the Arctic summer.

Which lends credence to the theory that cosmic rays, not CO2, are causing warming.

On another note: If we had a record ice melt in the Arctic, how much did the oceans rise? Funny how the enviros don't bring that up.

[Signalman]

I can’t wait till the cycle reverses and the evidence begins showing that the Earth is starting to cool. In fact, one Australian scientist is already predicting this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOLkze-9GcI

Watch all 4 parts.

[Go Gordon]

The record melting of Arctic sea ice observed this summer and fall led to record-low levels of ice in both September and October,

How could this be? My shore house didn't float away. Is Algore lying about the consequences of a polar meltdown?

[AppyPappy]

Oh no. Global cooling. Another ice age. We are doomed.

[VeniVidiVici]

What will happen is the enviro-whackos will now declare victory over global warming.

Nah. In their minds there will never be a victory over global warming.

[Arrowhead1952]

Two minutes and four replies before the first

We are Doomed!

FReepers are slipping. No "Bush's fault" either.

[dmartin]

Polar bears which swam to their northern limits are now icelocked away from any food sources. Millions of them are doomed to die as they try to walk back to the sea.

Millions of polar bears are going to die and not one celebrity is running a special benefit concert or event to save them? I don't believe you. If it were true then Apple would have released a special iPod with proceeds benefiting a food drop and Bono would be blaming someone in the Bush adminisitration.

[spunkets]

Yeah, bein’ winter and all, who’d a thunk it!

[TLI]

Polar bears! CO2! Carbon Credits! Nukler Winntr! Coastline floodin! Agghhheeeeeeeah!

[Lancey Howard]

[NRA2BFree]

The record melting of Arctic sea ice observed this summer and fall led to record-low levels of ice in both September and October, but a record-setting pace of re-freezing in November, according to the NASA Earth Observatory.

Oh my gosh, Algore is probably on suicide watch!

[fortunecookie]

Refreezing rapidly? Impossible! Everyone, stay calm. Hurry, page algore. He needs to fire up his fleet of SUV's to get to his private jet and fly his friends to a summit at some plush locale so they can decide how best to spin fix this! Yeah, that'll do it.

[DoughtyOne]

Read up on the antarctic. It’s getting colder down there, and it has been all along. These bastards had ignored that little fact in each of their desparate pleas to save the planet from global worming.

[darkwing104]

FReepers are slipping. No "Bush's fault" either.

I was too busy laughing at the obvious...