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Q&A: The Arctic melt season is a week longer now than it was in the 1980s, shows new UW research on sea ice trends
New University of Washington research shows the Arctic melt season has lengthened by about 7.5 days since 1979, mainly from later fall freeze up. Longer open wa
By Gillian Dohrn · 2026-09-02T17:51:28.704Z
New University of Washington research shows the Arctic melt season has lengthened by about 7.5 days since 1979, mainly from later fall freeze up. Longer open water periods cut reflectivity, accelerate warming and stress ecosystems. The paper updates 50 years of sea ice trends and outlines research priorities ahead of the 2023–2033 International Polar Year.
Read the full article here https://www.washington.edu/news/2026/09/02/qa the arctic melt season is a week longer now than it was in the 1980s shows new uw research on sea ice trends/