Thread by @RemoteLongitude

The sea north of Greenland is where we usually find the thickest, multiyear sea ice. This year...was different. Polarstern could steam with 5-7kn even above 88°N! Reaching the North Pole yesterday surrounded by thin ice, littered with melt ponds.

📸 Steffen Graupner/AWI
1/4

Sheltered by the landlocked layout of the Arctic Ocean multiyear sea ice can form and is being pushed toward the northern waters off Greenland.
📸 @meereisportal @NSIDC
2/4

However, the recent years have seen a dramatic decrease in the area covered by multiyear sea ice. Making it easy for Polarstern to reach the North Pole.
📽️ T. Schindler/NASA
3/4

And there is further trouble brewing ahead. A wind system forming early next week might fracture the sea ice even more and will transport warmer air masses into the central Arctic.

earth.nullschool.net/#2020/08/24/15…
4/4