Argentinian base Esperanza has set a new temperature record in Antarctica: 18.3 ºC

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirmed on Thursday that Antarctica broke its temperature record. It happened on February 6, 2020, when the thermometer reached the 18.3 ºC, although the registration was only validated today. They attribute it to the impact of climate change in the region.

The dossier, already approved, has been registered in theat the Argentinian Esperanza Science Station and exceeds that which had already been reported at the same place on the Antarctic Peninsula, on March 24, 2015, when the thermometer indicated 17.5 ºC, said the WMO.

“It is important to verify this maximum temperature recording because it helps to get a sense of the weather and climate in one of the most remote borders on Earth,” WMO Secretary General Petteri said. Taalas.

“Antarctica, more than the Arctic, lack of continuous weather and climate observations and forecastsand sufficiently sustained, although the two regions to a large extent condition climatic and oceanic regimes and sea level rise, ”he added.

At the same time, the agency considered invalid an even higher reading of 20.7 degrees, which was reported four days later at a Brazilian station on Seymour Island, also in Antarctica, as it could have been tampered with by an anti-radiation shield that could have tampered with the sensors.

The Antarctic Peninsula, which is the area of ​​the continent closest to South America, is one of the regions of the planet where temperatures have increased the most in the last 50 years, almost three degrees on average.

“This new temperature record is consistent with the climate change we are witnessing. WMO is working in collaboration with the Antarctic Treaty system to help keep this continent pristine,” commented Prof Taalas.

A WMO Archives Committee on Extreme Weather and Climate Events conducted a in-depth assessment the weather situation in the Antarctic Peninsula at the time the records were reported

As reported by the agency, this group determined that the existence of an excellent high pressure system in the area created conditions characteristic of the Hair dryer (downward hillside winds producing significant surface warming) and resulted in local warming at both Esperanza Station and Seymour Island.

Based on previous assessments, these weather conditions are conducive to record temperatures.

The WMO International Assessment Committee was made up of climatologists and polar scientists from Argentina, Brazil, Spain, the United States of America, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

“This new record shows, once again, that the fight against climate change calls for urgent measures. It is essential to continue to strengthen observing, forecasting and early warning systems to respond to the extreme events that are occurring more and more frequently as a result of global warming ”, said Celeste Saulo, director of the National Meteorological Service from Argentina and first vice-president. President of WMO.

With information from AFP and EFE

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