They went to the Artic for snow. They found rain and flowers
undefined 6, 2025
In Feb 2025, researchers in Svalbard expecting deep winter snow instead found rain, bare tundra, flowers, and meltwater as temperatures stayed above freezing. Svalbard is warming 6–7× faster than the global average, with winters changing fastest. The lack of snow disrupted fieldwork and raised safety concerns. Scientists warn this rapid shift threatens ecosystems, accelerates permafrost thaw, and demands urgent winter-focused Arctic monitoring and anticipatory climate policy.
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