Will Santa be dressing like this in the year 2040?

[trumad]

Previous positive predictions about the ozone-layer recovery by 2040 have now received a serious coup: a new study suggests that by 2040 there will be no ice left for polar bears.

Already considered among the most endangered species of animals in the world, the polar bears are again threatened by the conclusions of a new study, published in scientific journal Geophysical Research Letters on Tuesday, which indicates that the Arctic pole will not be a barren desert of ice by this century’s half, but a warm ocean.

The North Pole is already significantly warmer than the South Pole because it lies at sea-level in the middle of an ocean (which acts as a reservoir of heat), rather than at altitude in a continental land mass.

Winter (January) temperatures at the North Pole can range from about −43°C (−45ºF) to −26°C (−15°F), perhaps averaging around −34°C (−30ºF). Summer temperatures (June, July and August) average around freezing point (0°C, 32°F).

The sea ice at the North Pole is typically around two or three meters thick, though occasionally the movement of floes exposes clear water. Some studies have indicated that the average ice thickness has decreased in recent years due to global warming.

One of these studies is the one recently unveiled in the Geophysical Research Letters.

"The effects of greenhouse warming are starting to rear their ugly head," said Mark Serreze, a scientist at the National Snow and Ice Data Center at the University of Colorado in Boulder.
http://www.playfuls.com/news_003307_Ice_Age_2040_The_Meltdown_of_the_North_Pole.html

[MorningGlow]

1. Judging by this week's weather in upstate NY

40 to 50 degrees and a bit of drizzle, I'd say hell yeah Santa's going troppo soon.

I haven't even bothered to put on my snow tires this year. I blew the $90 bucks to do that last year and they weren't needed once. Just sayin'...

[MadHound]

3. I hear you

I bought a brand new snow blade for my tractor two years ago out here in Missouri. For the past two years, I would faithfully put the weights on, put the chains and blade on, all in expectation of having to plow snow. Not a damn thing. This year, I did no such thing, and we got slammed by fourteen inches, which prompted a scramble to catch up. But hey, I got to use that snow blade:woohoo:

[MorningGlow]

6. I would be happy to get caught out in the Jeep without the studs

if only we could have some NORMAL weather around here! This is getting downright creepy.

[havocmom]

2. And all those llamas we see being advertised on TV will have gainful employment

dragging the sleigh over rock and dust.

[Philosoraptor]

4. 60 degrees in KC yesterday, Dec. 11th.

[Skidmore]

5. As long as he doesn't make his rounds in a thong, that shirt is a

good look to me.