What’s causing Antarctica’s deep-winter heatwave, what could be its fallout?

Sub: Geo

Sec: Climatology

Record-breaking Heatwave in Antarctica:

Antarctica is experiencing a record-breaking heatwave for the second time in two years, with ground temperatures averaging 10 degrees Celsius higher than normal and reaching up to 28 degrees higher on certain days.
In East Antarctica, temperatures are currently between minus 25 degrees to minus 30 degrees Celsius, compared to the usual minus 50 to minus 60 degrees Celsius during deep winter.

Reasons for the Heatwave:

The heatwave is mainly due to the weakening of the polar vortex, which usually traps cold air over Antarctica but was disturbed this year by large-scale atmospheric waves. This allowed warmer air to enter the region, causing an increase in temperatures.
A weakened southern hemisphere vortex is a rare event, typically occurring once every two decades, making this an unusual occurrence.
Other contributing factors include the reduction of Antarctic sea ice, which plays a crucial role in maintaining low temperatures by reflecting sunlight and acting as a barrier between cold air and warmer water.

Impact of Global Warming:

Global warming is affecting Antarctica more severely than other parts of the planet, with the continent warming at nearly twice the rate of the global average.
The Antarctic Ice Sheet, which holds over 60% of the world’s freshwater, is at risk of further loss due to rising temperatures.

Possible Fallouts:

The heatwave may lead to further losses of the Antarctic Ice Sheet, which could raise global sea levels by hundreds of feet, threatening coastal cities and displacing millions of people.
In March 2022, a previous heatwave led to the collapse of a portion of the ice sheet the size of Rome.
Rising temperatures in Antarctica could also impact the global ocean circulation system, which is responsible for regulating climate.
Melting ice slows down this circulation, leading to oceans absorbing less heat and CO2, thereby intensifying global warming and increasing the frequency of extreme weather events like floods and droughts.

Source: IE