According to the data, the ice extent in the Arctic reached its lowest value for this month in February and was eight percent below the long-term average. It was the third consecutive month with such low values, as reported by Copernicus. In Antarctica, the area of sea ice fell to the fourth lowest February level and was 26 percent below the average. The absolute minimum of the year in this region, where summer is just ending, is usually not reached until March.

Worldwide Third Warmest February Causes Sea Ice Coverage to Fall

According to the data, February was also the third warmest February worldwide - it was 0.63 degrees warmer than the average of the years 1991 to 2020. Additionally, it was 1.59 degrees above the estimated mean temperature in the period from 1850 to 1900. According to Copernicus, 19 of the past 20 months were more than 1.5 degrees above this pre-industrial time. In the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015, it was agreed to limit global warming to as close as possible to 1.5 degrees above the pre-industrial level.

In Europe, the average temperature over land in February was 0.44 degrees. Although this was 0.40 degrees more than the February average from 1991 to 2020, the month was by no means among the ten warmest February months in Europe, it was stated. The EU's climate change service produces monthly reports on air temperature, sea ice, and the water cycle. It relies on data from satellites, ships, airplanes, and weather stations around the globe, as well as model calculations.

(APA/Red)

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