Svalbard experienced an exceptionally warm April this year, with temperatures remaining above normal every day of the month, according to the Norwegian Meteorological Institute. Across the Arctic, the unusual warmth affected research, tourism and outdoor activities during a period that normally offers stable snow and ice conditions.
At Svalbard Airport, the average temperature for April was measured at −2.7°C, which is 6.1°C above the long-term average for the month. Ny-Ålesund recorded the same average temperature, 6.0°C above normal. Some days on Svalbard were measured at 5 to 6 degrees above the seasonal average.
The warmth extended across the wider Arctic region. Jan Mayen recorded an average monthly temperature of 0.9°C, making it the warmest April measured there since observations began in 1921. The island also registered a record high temperature of 11.7°C on 21 April. Northern Norway as a whole recorded its warmest April on record.
The unusual weather created difficult conditions across Svalbard. Rain, open rivers and unstable snow made travel outside settlements more challenging than normal, and several planned fieldwork trips had to be cancelled due to unsafe conditions. Researchers also reported difficult access to study areas as snow and ice deteriorated earlier than expected.
Tourism operators were also affected during what is usually the final phase of the winter season. Several snowmobile excursions and dog sledding tours had to be cancelled because of poor snow coverage and unsafe terrain. Visitors arriving for Arctic winter tourism instead encountered rain, slush and exposed ground in some areas around Longyearbyen.
The annual ski marathon on Svalbard also took place under unusually difficult conditions. Heavy rain and deteriorating snow forced organizers to adjust the course to make the race possible at all. Svalbard Airport recorded a new April precipitation record on 19 April, when 14.6 mm fell in a single day.
Sea ice extent around Svalbard was measured as the third lowest recorded for April, while Arctic sea ice overall reached its second lowest April extent since satellite observations began in 1978.
Léa Zinsli, PolarJournal