been a steady melting of arctic sea ice at a rate of 13% per decade. as the ice melts and the footprint of the polar icecap shrinks, more of the ocean's surface is exposed and thus more heat escapes into the atmosphere. studies show that the arctic is warming faster than any other part of the globe. the authors of a new study have koor lated the increase of ice melt over time with more frequent polar vortex disruption. that dam way up north bursts and thrusts cold air down south to us. one of the study's author told us he believes this will continue and even become more frequent in the future. and one more bit of bad news. as this cold, arctic air hits the lower 48, did displaces air north warmer than normal temperatures have been recorded in alaska where the permafrost