Arctic Transforms to Green: Startling Winter Images Show Impact of Climate Change (2 of 4)

While in the Arctic Circle’s Svalbard, they encountered air temperatures that were surprisingly high, some of the highest ever noted in the Arctic region.

Take Ny-Ålesund, for instance, positioned in the north-west of Svalbard and roughly 745 miles (1,200km) away from the North Pole. Here, the average air temperature in February 2025 reached a chilly -3.3°C/26°F.

This figure starkly contrasts with the historical average of -15°C/5°F for the same period during the years 1961 to 2001, highlighting a significant warming trend.

What’s more, the researchers observed extensive areas where meltwater had collected into massive, ephemeral lakes, through which they could traverse as though navigating through enormous puddles.

Amidst the retreat of snow and ice, verdant shades burst forth, signaling the arrival of seasons usually marked by rebirth and growth.

‘Vibrant spurts of ecological awakening sprawled throughout the once dormant expanse,’ the scholars articulate in their publication in Nature Communications.

‘The topsoil, customarily encased in ice this season, softened to the extent that it could be effortlessly scooped up with a spoon.’

Remarkably, the expected snow was replaced by rainfall – a testament to unusually balmy weather patterns.

Accustomed to the protection of heavy gear against the cold, the researchers frequently found themselves laboring in the rain, with naked hands.

“The equipment I brought with me seemed like an artifact from a different weather era,” observed Dr Bradley.

The warming winters in Svalbard pose a significant threat to local communities and structures, primarily due to the heightened risk of avalanches.