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In many parts of the U.S. March went out like a lion this year.<\/p>\n
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But a new interactive map<\/a> of high-resolution climate projections from Climate Central<\/a> promises much tamer, warmer Marches in the future. In fact, freezing March temperatures will retreat northward this <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Click on the image above to view the map.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Of course, the idea of thawing temperatures seems pretty nice at <\/p>\n But warmer Marches also mean earlier snowmelt—and that’s not such good news. <\/p>\n Climate Central‘s maps<\/a> show what will happen to average March temperatures if we continue to emit carbon at today’s high rate. By the end of this century, all states analyzed will experience a majority or near complete loss of areas <\/p>\n It’s interesting to note that while Washington, D.C. had record-breaking winter snows this year, March temperatures in the nation’s capitol never dipped below freezing<\/a>—a new record for warmth.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Speaking of warmth, the thaw season has just begun in the Arctic. Over recent <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Click on the image above to watch the video. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n For example, Greenland is shedding ice at a rapid pace; the average net loss per year from 2004 to 2007 was about 25 times greater than the average from 1992-2002<\/a>. <\/p>\n Another key trend just coming to light is that the crust of ice that covers parts of the Arctic Ocean has been getting thinner<\/a>. Most observers have focused on the shrinking extent<\/a> of Arctic sea ice. But the ice appears to be thinning even faster. Just-published research<\/a> (subscription required) suggests that the ice may be thinner than <\/p>\n Bright, white sea ice reflects the sun’s energy back into space—like a giant <\/p>\n So, as we dump our winter coats and turn our minds to spring—let’s take a moment to celebrate the cold days of March, while they’re still with us!<\/p>\n Related Links:<\/strong><\/p>\n Without affordable clean alternatives, South Africa turns to coal<\/a><\/p>\n The changing threat to water: Global warming & World Water Day<\/a><\/p>\n Stealing home: James Hansen’s audacious battle to save the planet<\/a><\/p>\n
\ncentury like a routed army. (The retreat would slow to about half the speed
\nunder a low carbon pollution scenario.)<\/p>\n
\nthe end of a long, snowy winter like the one we just had in parts of the U.S., and the trend does promise earlier starts for golfers, gardeners, and farmers in the future.<\/p>\n
\nAcross the American West, early snowmelt years have already been linked
\nto drier rivers and forests<\/a> later in summer and to much higher wildfire activity<\/a> (see this video on the fire situation in Washington State<\/a>).
\nScientists project these problems will worsen with further
\nwarming. And water shortages will present challenges for farm irrigation and trouble for trout<\/a> and other cold-water stream life (explored more in this video about Montana<\/a>).<\/p>\n
\nin which average March temperatures are currently below freezing.
\nThe biggest losers, in terms of total area, will be Minnesota, Montana, and North Dakota; but seven states, from Arizona to Wisconsin, are
\nprojected to lose just about all their frozen March acreage.
\n(For a full tally, see this table<\/a>.)<\/p>\n
\ndecades, the Arctic has been the fastest-warming region on the planet,
\na pattern scientists expect to continue. Arctic warming trends and their
\nconsequences—shown in this new video<\/a> short (based mainly on NASA satellite data)—make projections of March warming in the U.S. look tame.<\/p>\n
\nHow much of this shift may have come from natural variation and how
\nmuch from human-caused warming is difficult to assess. But two things
\nare clear: Arctic warming means Greenland ice loss<\/a>, and Greenland ice loss means rising seas<\/a>. Recent scientific studies that take Arctic trends into account generally project more than a three-foot rise<\/a> in sea level this century.<\/p>\n
\nwe thought, a troubling finding since thinner ice is more vulnerable to
\nfuture disintegration.<\/p>\n
\nplanetary heat shield<\/a>. As sea ice disappears, more dark ocean is exposed, absorbing more of the sun’s heat, and accelerating Arctic warming.<\/p>\n