Arctic Spring Now Arrives 16 Days Earlier Than It Did Just 10 Years Ago
Spring has been popping up earlier in many areas of the world in recent years, and although this might sound quite pleasant, it’s actually a worrying result of climate change. And the further north you go, the worse it gets, with the Arctic, and its many unique inhabitants, experiencing the greatest change.
According to a new study published in the journal Scientific Reports, the Arctic spring is occurring 16 days earlier than it did 10 years ago. In fact, the research suggests that for every 10 degrees north of the equator you go, spring comes an average of four days earlier. That means that those in Los Angeles will likely experience spring just a day earlier than a decade ago, while those in Chicago or Washington DC will see it arrive about four days early.
Using clues from the creatures that dwell in Arctic climes, the researchers looked at the timings of a variety of biological phenomena, from when flowers bloom and leaves emerge to when amphibians begin vocalizing and migratory birds arrive. In total, they looked at 743 previous studies, combining the data with temperature records.
The significant change in the arrival time of Arctic spring compared to that of other latitudes highlights just how rapidly the North Pole has been hit by climate change. Just recently, Europe unexpectedly became smothered in ice and snow, and scientists think this is likely due to freak warming further north.
EDIT
http://www.iflscience.com/environment/climate-change-has-brought-the-arctics-spring-forward-16-days-in-just-10-years/
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