In recent years, Antarctica has experienced a series of unprecedented heat waves. Temperatures were recorded on February 6, 2020 18.3 °C, which is the highest temperature ever seen on the continent, beating the previous record of 17.5°C set just a few years ago.

Around February 2022, another strong heat wave in Antarctica led to a record melting of the surface ice. In March of the same year, East Antarctica experienced its strongest heat wave, when temperatures in some areas rose by 30 to 40 °C above average.

Over the past year, we have seen the lowest levels of Antarctic sea ice coverage on record. ( Sergi González Herrero, Universitat de Barcelona, more at theconversation.com)