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Record Low Antarctic Winter Ice 2023 Signals Warming Accelerator

5/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Antarctic sea ice hit a record low winter extent in 2023, a one-in-3.5-million chance.
Satellite data show ice grew from 2007-2015 then fell sharply after 2015, contrary to models.
Stronger winds from the ozone hole and greenhouse gases lifted warm, salty deep water, weakening surface layering and enabling storms to mix heat upward.
Researchers Narayanan, Garabato and Silvano warn the low ice could make the Southern Ocean a warming accelerator.

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Story summary

Antarctic sea ice hit a record low winter extent in 2023, a one-in-3.5-million chance.
Satellite data show ice grew from 2007-2015 then fell sharply after 2015, contrary to models.
Stronger winds from the ozone hole and greenhouse gases lifted warm, salty deep water, weakening surface layering and enabling storms to mix heat upward.
Researchers Narayanan, Garabato and Silvano warn the low ice could make the Southern Ocean a warming accelerator.