Antarctic peninsula likely to warm over next two decades
Precipitation increases also likely, study shows
An analysis of historic and projected simulations from 19 global climate models shows that, because of climate change, the temperature in the Antarctic peninsula will increase by 0.5 to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2044.
The projections also showed that precipitation – a threat to ice if it manifests as rain – will likely increase on the peninsula by about 5% to 10% over that same time period.
The estimates were published recently in the journal
“We are concerned about these findings. We’ve been seeing overall quite big changes on the peninsula, generally getting warmer and ice shelves and glaciers discharging into the ocean,” said David Bromwich, a leading author of the study and a research professor at The Ohio State University Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center and department of geography.