Zack Labe

Climate Scientist (Atmospheric) at Climate Central | PhD | Sharing data-driven stories | Harrisburg, PA | Views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are only my own

My research and communication interests coincide with disentangling patterns of climate change from climate variability using data-driven methods. Also, scary movie fan!

#Arctic #ClimateChange #DataViz #MachineLearning #OpenScience #Python #SciComm #Weather #wxMastodon #wxTwitter

My Research: https://zacklabe.com/
My Climate Change Visualizations: https://zacklabe.com/arctic-sea-ice-figures/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/zacklabe.com
Climate Central: https://www.climatecentral.org/

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zlabe_at_fediscience.org@momostr.pink

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Published at

2026-05-31T18:45:23Z

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Last Notes

2026-05-05 12:24:13 UTC

Sea surface temperatures continued to warm in the far eastern Pacific in April, as El Niño is likely to develop (find trusted sources to follow and not just the hype).
Note also the significant marine heatwave stretching from near Hawaii to California and Mexico!
Data from OISSTv2.1: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/optimum-interpolation-sst)
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/521/946/600/542/971/original/23dd51667e02d206.png

2026-05-04 21:07:52 UTC

🚨 Your Monday ice update - #Arctic sea ice extent is currently the *lowest* on record (JAXA data)...
• about 510,000 km² below the 2010s mean
• about 900,000 km² below the 2000s mean
• about 1,290,000 km² below the 1990s mean
• about 1,770,000 km² below the 1980s mean
Additional perspectives: https://zacklabe.com/arctic-sea-ice-extentconcentration/
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/518/341/988/975/392/original/53c6824de6b08ac3.png

2026-05-04 11:43:18 UTC

Last month was the 11th lowest #Antarctic sea ice extent on record for the month of April.
This was 670,000 km² below the 1981-2010 April average. Data from https://nsidc.org/data/seaice_index
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/516/125/072/853/689/original/3c8ca7d798aaf09d.mp4

2026-05-04 00:39:27 UTC

A large portion of the #Arctic Ocean is still covered with sea ice in May. However, the edges are observing warming at the surface of the ocean over the recent satellite-era.
Data from OISSTv2.1. For more info: https://doi.org/10.25923/pz7y-3b10
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/513/514/812/016/794/original/4b65adecccd7f2b9.png

2026-05-03 16:35:20 UTC

April 2026 #Arctic sea ice extent was the 2nd lowest on record for the month...
This was 1,120,000 km² below the 1981-2010 average. April ice extent is decreasing at about 2.44% per decade. Data: https://nsidc.org/data/seaice_index
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/511/609/370/708/354/original/603507388b3d7520.mp4

2026-05-03 14:22:26 UTC

Decadal trends in May sea ice thickness across the #Arctic Ocean - red shading corresponds to areas of thinning ice (yes, that's pretty much everywhere)
Simulated by PIOMAS; https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-17-0436.1
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/511/089/354/732/779/original/465258dbc7aecb41.png

2026-05-02 19:30:04 UTC

Trends in May temperatures over land areas for the last 50 years...
Data from: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/land-based-station/noaa-global-temp
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/506/635/460/562/007/original/c1a867311fa1ea59.png

2026-05-02 01:30:40 UTC

What questions do you have about the current state of the climate system? Join my next webinar in two weeks and bring them along!
Register here: https://climatecentral-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/3717690018559/WN_JI8tiwC1QxqtqLg7yhb1CA (a recording is provided afterwards to everyone who registers)
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/502/385/663/067/379/original/bfb0cb7dba614882.png

2026-05-01 13:46:01 UTC

Have a nice weekend! Here's your Friday ice update - #Arctic sea ice extent is currently the 3rd lowest on record (JAXA data)...
• about 420,000 km² below the 2010s mean
• about 790,000 km² below the 2000s mean
• about 1,170,000 km² below the 1990s mean
• about 1,670,000 km² below the 1980s mean
More graphics: https://zacklabe.com/arctic-sea-ice-extentconcentration/
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/499/621/116/882/336/original/a5ee6ea9aa088959.png

2026-05-01 12:08:49 UTC

Happy start to May! These maps show the regional patterns of temperature change during this month over the last four decades. Note the larger warming over land areas and relative hotspots over different high latitude areas.
Data from https://doi.org/10.24381/cds.f17050d7
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/499/239/011/379/009/original/6436beb0c2dcd588.png

2026-05-01 00:15:26 UTC

Checking in on global sea ice conditions... extent is currently the 5th lowest on record for today's date. This is consistent with the overall long-term declining trend due to human-caused climate change.
Graphic originally from https://zacklabe.com/global-sea-ice-extent-conc/
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/496/434/422/727/428/original/54aaeddc682b4d44.png

2026-04-30 19:57:07 UTC

A last look at March in the #Arctic, with a zoomed-in view of Svalbard where temperatures were more than 5°C warmer than the 1981-2010 baseline. This extended to the Greenland Sea and Fram Strait as well and coincided with less sea ice to the east.
Data from https://doi.org/10.24381/cds.f17050d7
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/495/417/383/772/146/original/eebe030b7f80a595.png

2026-04-30 12:10:49 UTC

The concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) is higher than at any point in at least the past one million years (according to evidence from paleoclimate records).
More climate change indicators: https://zacklabe.com/climate-change-indicators/
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/493/584/715/984/398/original/90a3c2eccd8f9141.png

2026-04-30 00:38:07 UTC

Patterns of April surface air temperatures in the #Antarctic averaged by decade. Note that there can be some higher uncertainties for observations across this particular region.
Data from @npub13av…8hhw ERA5 reanalysis.
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/490/859/626/712/352/original/4c5877ef5f093caf.png

2026-04-29 12:18:33 UTC

🚨 The 2025 European State of the Climate (ESOTC) was released today.
There are absolutely beautiful data visualizations throughout this report, but they also reveal some very alarming statistics of climate trends and extremes.
Check it out: https://doi.org/10.24381/zy93-sb27 #ESOTC2025
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/487/950/309/325/611/original/557e139c1fe70a1a.png

2026-04-29 00:27:24 UTC

📊 New data release today! Check out the latest state-by-state tools for tracking U.S. billion-dollar disasters, as well as disaster and risk mapping! 2026 already has 5 events tallied so far this year ($12.4 billion).
Explore the data with Climate Central: https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-services/billion-dollar-disasters
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/485/150/784/848/924/original/e20d8f45a3776650.png

2026-04-28 14:54:06 UTC

Maps of temperature departures averaged over the last month (left), 3 months (center), and 12 months (right) across the #Arctic...
Data from https://doi.org/10.24381/cds.f17050d7
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/482/902/352/689/096/original/12f3f11aeeb468be.png

2026-04-28 12:13:11 UTC

Another check in on spring's arrival for plants blooming. Timing is way ahead of schedule, with off-the-charts early activity across parts of the central and western U.S. Quite a season!
Map from: https://www.usanpn.org/data/maps/spring
Future projections: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-016-3313-2
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/482/269/415/606/916/original/4040f4963560fd22.png

2026-04-28 00:45:22 UTC

'Playing a broken record' via https://nsidc.org/snow-today/monthly-insights/playing-broken-record
"In large parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, and Oregon, snow cover duration was 80 to 100 days below average. Snow cover duration in all other western US states was also far below average."
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/479/565/002/016/814/original/3ebab73c938ddd61.png

2026-04-27 12:09:31 UTC

Last month was the 3rd warmest March on record for land areas around the world...
Data provided by NOAAGlobalTemp v6.1.0 (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/land-based-station/noaa-global-temp)
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/476/592/622/761/284/original/0a47c0650ecb7c8b.png

2026-04-26 18:11:03 UTC

New 'climate viz of the month' blog is out today, comparing two observational datasets to show the warmest decade on record across the wider #Arctic region: https://zacklabe.com/climate-viz-of-the-month/ #DataViz #SciComm #OpenData #OpenScience

2026-04-26 15:49:51 UTC

Changes in April temperatures in the #Arctic by decade...
[Data from ECMWF ERA5 reanalysis]
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/471/796/889/481/999/original/b34ade0583fd61e1.png

2026-04-26 13:48:19 UTC

The most anomalous warmth across the #Arctic (in terms of largest temperature departures) has been across the northernmost areas near the North Pole so far this year. This was especially significant in March.
Graphic updated monthly at: https://zacklabe.com/arctic-temperatures/. Data from ERA5 reanalysis.
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/471/317/208/548/255/original/29587cf2e71ee562.png

2026-04-26 04:44:32 UTC

If you have missed any of our new monthly state of the climate webinars, check out the recordings here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfd2qWxc-XiLfKnLxdJK5SGEpMWN3Fa-N

2026-04-26 00:24:09 UTC

Global mean sea surface temperature anomalies (departure from average) so far this year ➡️ 3rd highest on record
Data from NOAA ERSSTv5 averaged over January to March.
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/468/156/060/233/571/original/abe2bb920ecf75bc.png

2026-04-25 22:49:40 UTC

"Trump fires all 24 members of the U.S. National Science Foundation’s governing body" via https://www.science.org/content/article/trump-fires-nsf-s-oversight-board

2026-04-25 14:11:17 UTC

Evolution of March #Arctic sea ice and sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies during the satellite-era...
A summary of last month can be found from @npub13av…8hhw at https://climate.copernicus.eu/sea-ice-cover-march-2026
*SST data set (OISSTv2.1) is only available since about 1982
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/465/746/467/075/710/original/7d07155f616bc7cb.mp4

2026-04-25 00:54:03 UTC

Wondering what the direction of this graph might start looking like by the end of the year... 🫣 #ElNiño
Graphic from global climate indicators: https://zacklabe.com/climate-change-indicators/
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/462/609/242/828/765/original/17db8831060d4236.png

2026-04-24 13:56:54 UTC

Have a good weekend! Here's your Friday ice update - #Arctic sea ice extent is currently the 2nd lowest on record (JAXA data)...
• about 510,000 km² below the 2010s mean
• about 820,000 km² below the 2000s mean
• about 1,220,000 km² below the 1990s mean
• about 1,790,000 km² below the 1980s mean
More graphics: https://zacklabe.com/arctic-sea-ice-extentconcentration/
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/460/027/914/598/668/original/dbcc2afb9b94726e.png

2026-04-24 10:53:38 UTC

Check out my interview with Dr Gilbz on the recent record low for the annual #Arctic sea ice extent maximum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiWZNJHspnQ

2026-04-24 00:28:45 UTC

“March 2026 was a truly extraordinary month for climate extremes, with summerlike heat affecting millions across the U.S., more than 10,000 daily temperature records set, and missing snow even on the highest peaks of the Rockies. Human-caused climate change is amplifying these extremes and increasing risks to people, communities, and ecosystems.”
Summary of the month: https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-briefings/march-2026
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/456/846/446/107/365/original/2989cbc347db6242.png

2026-04-23 18:34:25 UTC

Simulated reconstruction of April #Arctic sea ice thickness since 1901. Large interannual variability, but watch what happens in the last decade or so...
Information about this data: https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-19-0008.1
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/455/456/982/306/933/original/08abd489eaffe20a.mp4

2026-04-23 12:40:34 UTC

“The heat dome put an exclamation point on the worst winter in a century,” said Still. “It was the worst possible way to end the winter that was already worse than normal.” via https://www.hcn.org/articles/the-ramifications-of-record-shattering-heat-on-the-wests-ecosystems/

2026-04-23 00:54:11 UTC

The Earth system heartbeat over a single day ➡️ land/ocean interactions, heat transfer, diurnal cycle, topography, etc. - What features do you see? #EarthDay #EarthDay2026
[Air temperature data from @npub13av…8hhw ERA5]
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/451/288/209/990/279/original/e0ed4847ed219dff.mp4

2026-04-22 19:40:02 UTC

➡️ Create your own climate change stripes for #EarthDay! https://showyourstripes.info/
Here is how much the Arctic ocean surface is warming up... 🥹
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/450/051/320/527/447/original/76515e48bb4b8a60.png

2026-04-22 12:56:58 UTC

Happy #EarthDay! 🌍🌎🌏
Here's an updated graph of how much carbon dioxide (CO₂) has changed since the first Earth Day, which is driving recent climate change.
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/448/467/520/816/247/original/80ff82407902a0b3.png

2026-04-22 11:06:02 UTC

Temperature anomalies averaged over the last month (left), 3 months (center), and 12 months (right) across the Northern Hemisphere... note the sharp temperature anomaly gradient across North America!
Data from @npub13av…8hhw ERA5 reanalysis.
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/448/030/853/743/335/original/0fc03d146fe3cf82.png

2026-04-22 03:17:09 UTC

In case you missed our latest science briefing, here is the recording from today: https://youtube.com/watch?v=FDvBnBMLoS8
We covered the latest global climate numbers, an update on the western U.S. snow drought, stats from the historic March heatwave, the newest current El Niño seasonal forecasts, and a guest speaker on variability in the atmospheric circulation and polar vortex related to Northern Hemisphere cold spells.

2026-04-21 12:50:44 UTC

100 years of average January-March temperature anomalies over land areas through 2026... watch our planet heating up!
Data from NOAAGlobalTemp v6.1.0: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/land-based-station/noaa-global-temp
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/442/780/657/369/338/original/d63ed82776f19129.mp4

2026-04-21 00:12:28 UTC

Depending on the dataset, temperatures ranked somewhere in the top 5 warmest Marches on record for the #Antarctic. Here's a look at a spatial view of those temperature anomalies using ERA5 data...
Current sea-ice extent there is slightly below the 1981-2010 average: https://zacklabe.com/antarctic-sea-ice-extentconcentration/
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/439/799/432/811/950/original/ab4edb357159044e.png

2026-04-20 21:36:14 UTC

RE: https://fediscience.org/@ZLabe/116432439455396030
We are also super excited to be joined by Dr. Simon Lee, who will be talking about variability and changes in atmospheric circulation patterns associated with extreme cold in the eastern U.S. and the relative role of the stratosphere.
Register at the link below or learn more here: https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-briefings. A recording will be shared afterwards for everyone who registers, and there will be time for open Q/A.
#note1gn5…7e3a

2026-04-20 15:16:25 UTC

A last look at satellite-derived observations (CryoSat-2/Sentinel-3/SMOS merged product) of #Arctic sea-ice thickness before summer begins (https://spaces.awi.de/spaces/CS2SMOS/blog/2026/04/17/624499172/The+L3+product+has+been+switched+from+the+Arctic+to+the+Antarctic.)
Observations will resume again in the fall in association with the freeze season. Graphic from https://zacklabe.com/arctic-sea-ice-volumethickness/
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/437/687/952/452/801/original/7b8208896a86adf1.png

2026-04-20 13:49:41 UTC

Have a great week! Here's your Monday ice update - #Arctic sea ice extent is currently the 2nd lowest on record (JAXA data)...
• about 450,000 km² below the 2010s mean
• about 750,000 km² below the 2000s mean
• about 1,190,000 km² below the 1990s mean
• about 1,780,000 km² below the 1980s mean
More graphics: https://zacklabe.com/arctic-sea-ice-figures/
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/437/350/487/609/427/original/c30d217d7d25fd34.png

2026-04-20 12:09:44 UTC

#Arctic climate rankings are now updated for March 2026: https://zacklabe.com/archive-2026/. Unfortunately, data is not available for sea-ice volume this month.
#SciComm #DataViz #OpenScience #OpenData

2026-04-19 19:57:11 UTC

Aside from Florida, nearly the entire contiguous U.S. has experienced earlier than average first plant blooms in 2026. Earlier springs can cause longer allergy seasons, accelerate wildfire risk, increase pests/mosquitoes, and lead to less reliable snow-fed water.
Map by: https://www.usanpn.org/data/maps/spring
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/433/132/323/366/454/original/9b11fc64ee78a794.png

2026-04-19 17:00:33 UTC

Global ocean sea surface temperatures have surged to the highest on record for this time of year!
Join me in our monthly webinar this week to discuss these recent global climate extremes, as well as reviewing the historic March heatwave.
➡️ Register here: https://climatecentral-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/3717690018559/WN_BU6E_0vAQb6aLOtk4Pc5Sg
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/432/438/267/539/653/original/9e216d80a41eb628.png

2026-04-19 14:02:12 UTC

Compare different regions! These graphics look at the varying seasonality and trends in the magnitude of monthly temperature anomalies since 1940 for the Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere, Arctic, and Antarctic...
Data from https://doi.org/10.24381/cds.f17050d7
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/431/735/318/614/601/original/65bcbaee71d7ce19.png
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/431/735/318/673/654/original/dc0f1095fbfb5ef7.png
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/431/735/318/726/536/original/151af072f8c92356.png
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/431/735/318/726/535/original/1c84d32840084f6e.png

2026-04-19 00:52:57 UTC

Almost the entire Western United States is averaging more than 5°F warmer than the most recent 1991-2020 climate baseline so far in 2026, which is truly remarkable. Off the color scale here!
Graphic from https://wrcc.dri.edu/my/
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/428/632/591/711/796/original/1b13aa3884bcda3c.png

2026-04-18 20:53:06 UTC

One of my original climate visualizations is the monthly Arctic ranking heatmap for lower tropospheric temperatures (925 hPa). It used NCEP/NCAR R1, which is now discontinued (overdue for an update anyways).
Follow my new ERA5 version, updated monthly: https://zacklabe.com/arctic-temperatures/. Compare below...
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/427/689/724/019/854/original/c00543ab8a338f7e.png
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/427/689/723/203/542/original/e75618a92fe65bd3.png

2026-04-18 16:21:29 UTC

When averaging temperatures across each line of latitude, all areas were warmer than the long-term average in March 2026.
[Plot shows zonal-mean surface air temperature anomalies, where latitude = y-axis (not scaled by distance). Data: GISTEMPv4 (1951-1980)]
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/426/622/545/677/051/original/2a156366f6139ba2.png

2026-04-18 00:28:32 UTC

100 years of average March temperature anomalies over land areas through 2026...
Data from NOAAGlobalTemp v6.1.0: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/land-based-station/noaa-global-temp
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/422/875/973/368/755/original/240da129efc8b0fe.mp4

2026-04-17 13:15:41 UTC

We have a new monthly series at Climate Central highlighting the latest state of the climate, including guest speakers, attribution, and current extremes. Also includes a report summary and interactive graphics to explore/download the data.
Learn more at https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/spotlight-on-monthly-climate-brief-2026
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/420/228/311/987/820/original/920081f109184bf9.png
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/420/228/311/900/477/original/ffa2782f207e37b5.png

2026-04-17 12:10:51 UTC

Have a good weekend! Here's your Friday ice update - #Arctic sea ice extent is currently the 2nd lowest on record (JAXA data)...
• about 480,000 km² below the 2010s mean
• about 760,000 km² below the 2000s mean
• about 1,220,000 km² below the 1990s mean
• about 1,810,000 km² below the 1980s mean
More graphics: https://zacklabe.com/arctic-sea-ice-figures/
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/419/974/288/665/479/original/dc6d3586afddc2da.png

2026-04-17 00:03:50 UTC

All of my monthly climate visualization blogs from last year are now archived at: https://zacklabe.com/blog-archive-2025/ #OpenScience #OpenData
The monthly Arctic statistics for 2025 are also at https://zacklabe.com/archive-2025/ #DataViz #SciComm

2026-04-14 10:43:14 UTC

Looking back at the average temperature departures so far this year - find your location...
🟥 warmer than average
🟦 colder than average
Overview of recent data version update (to v6.1.0): https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/ai-supercharges-key-noaa-dataset-ensuring-peak-accuracy
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/402/643/020/048/435/original/64207b2c42146dca.png

2026-04-14 00:45:40 UTC

Temperature anomalies over the last month (left), 3 months (center), and 12 months (right) across the Southern Hemisphere. Red areas denote warmer than average temperatures and blue areas colder than average.
Data from @npub13av…8hhw ERA5 reanalysis.
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/400/293/035/986/932/original/3997a4ebc1d28102.png

2026-04-13 21:49:28 UTC

Have a good week! Here's your Monday ice update - #Arctic sea ice extent is currently the 3rd lowest on record (JAXA data)...
• about 480,000 km² below the 2010s mean
• about 800,000 km² below the 2000s mean
• about 1,260,000 km² below the 1990s mean
• about 1,830,000 km² below the 1980s mean
More graphics: https://zacklabe.com/arctic-sea-ice-extentconcentration/
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/399/600/361/750/417/original/219b734483a7345f.png

2026-04-13 15:32:02 UTC

100 years of April sea ice. Note that variability is still mostly confined to the outer marginal seas in boreal spring (North Pacific/North Atlantic).
Data set available from 1850 through 2017. Summary of methods: https://www.carbonbrief.org/guest-post-piecing-together-arctic-sea-ice-history-1850/
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/398/115/006/591/096/original/a0cb65c0c40c2f6b.mp4

2026-04-13 12:13:27 UTC

Last month was statistically tied for the 2nd warmest March on record globally. It was also the 3rd warmest March for global land areas. Overall, about 7.1% of Earth’s surface recorded its warmest March on record.
Data from NOAA/NCEI NOAAGlobalTemp v6.1.0: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/land-based-station/noaa-global-temp
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/397/336/153/876/511/original/74d74d937ae30dc5.png

2026-04-13 00:58:51 UTC

So how warm has it been recently across the contiguous United States for different monthly periods (1 month through the last 60 months)? Oh dear... 😬
Data from @noaa.gov: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/climate-at-a-glance/national/rankings
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/394/680/634/668/247/original/0a2ec4a22e228b17.png

2026-04-12 14:14:59 UTC

There was a strong temperature anomaly gradient across the Arctic in March, with anomalous warmth over the northernmost areas and much colder conditions relative to average over land areas (more than 5°C departures for both areas)
Download at https://zacklabe.com/arctic-temperatures/
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/392/151/147/872/644/original/a78ae6a829c64741.png

2026-04-12 00:48:03 UTC

This is a frightening map, especially given the fact that this is normally near the peak in snowpack across the West. There are many far-reaching consequences from this historic snow drought, ranging from increasing risk of summer wildfires to major water concerns.
Map by https://nwcc-apps.sc.egov.usda.gov/
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/388/978/143/600/188/original/10b105ac84d38346.jpeg

2026-04-11 13:25:45 UTC

Last month was full of climate extremes around the world, and it can be hard to summarize it all. Even temperatures for the #Antarctic region were at record high levels
Using data from @npub13av…8hhw ERA5 reanalysis.
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/386/295/017/377/962/original/be46852512ee6e18.png

2026-04-10 22:11:25 UTC

This time of year trends in sea ice concentration are confined to the very outer edges of the #Arctic Ocean. Losses of concentration are smallest in March and April.
Sea ice concentration = fraction of ice-cover (observed by satellite). More information: https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-25-0104.1
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/382/700/151/327/976/original/9f60a16346ae9812.png

2026-04-10 12:28:30 UTC

March 2026 was the 4th warmest March on record globally. Note the high-amplitude wavy pattern of anomalies across the Northern Hemisphere.
This month was about 1.48°C above the 1850-1900 pre-industrial average. The last 12-months have been about 1.43°C above it.
Summary of month: https://climate.copernicus.eu/surface-air-temperature-march-2026
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/380/406/439/311/076/original/05b15b2626145665.png
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/380/406/439/259/241/original/e2c9d576c996e27d.png
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/380/406/439/311/077/original/650da2502ea98fe2.png

2026-04-10 00:26:42 UTC

April observes a tendency for greater precipitation (green shading) over the satellite-era across the Barents Sea region of the #Arctic, along with parts of Western Siberia and Central Greenland.
+ Data: https://psl.noaa.gov/data/gridded/data.gpcp.html
+ Info: https://doi.org/10.25923/11nn-hn03
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/377/569/491/068/016/original/e5964841566e186b.png

2026-04-09 17:33:19 UTC

Human-caused climate change has far-reaching impacts on society and our environment.
Check out the latest report on birds by Climate Central: https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/birds-at-risk-2026 🐦
"Shorter winters, spring warming, and earlier first spring leaves can disrupt the annual cues that birds rely on to begin their migrations."
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/375/944/053/332/844/original/a11a5642397b6e4b.jpg

2026-04-09 12:41:08 UTC

Last month's composite really shows how much warmth is currently found across our world's oceans, including now in the eastern equatorial region as La Niña faded. There are also several large marine heatwaves, such as off of the Mexico and Southern California coastline.
Data from OISSTv2.1 (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/optimum-interpolation-sst)
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/374/792/897/704/312/original/fc50445e24067450.png

2026-04-09 04:26:48 UTC

My monthly #Arctic temperature graphics are now updated for March 2026. Quite warm (relative to average) across the northernmost areas. See: https://zacklabe.com/arctic-temperatures/.
#DataViz #SciComm #OpenScience #OpenData

2026-04-08 18:24:35 UTC

Trend in April temperatures across the #Arctic over the last 47 years...
The greatest warming is along the Siberian coast and in the Barents Sea, especially near Novaya Zemlya and Severnaya Zemlya.
Data from @npub13av…8hhw ERA5. For more info: https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-25-0104.1
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/370/483/221/136/746/original/c36bcc3b7f1d3257.png

2026-04-08 03:31:34 UTC

Key findings and an overview of our recent study on cross-basin boundary current teleconnections with Arctic sea ice: https://gfdl.noaa.gov/research_highlight/evolving-synchronization-of-the-gulf-stream-and-kuroshio-oyashio-extension-in-a-changing-climate/

2026-04-07 14:41:39 UTC

Record high ocean temperatures are back across the North Pacific when looking at March 2026 in the historical record for that month.
This graph shows the average for a band across the midlatitudes for every March from 1854-2026 using
NOAA ERSSTv5 data (https://psl.noaa.gov/data/gridded/data.noaa.ersst.v5.html).
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/363/942/314/030/602/original/740777b07301c96b.png

2026-04-07 03:15:36 UTC

Last month was the *2nd* warmest March on record for the average global sea surface temperature...
Graphic using NOAA ERSSTv5 data. Methods described in https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-16-0836.1
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/361/246/988/839/833/original/54beca73f87c9fa5.png

2026-04-05 23:00:07 UTC

"Spring bloom has been mostly early across the country, with central states seeing conditions for bloom 2-5 weeks early than a long-term average (1991-2020). Denver, CO is 35 days early, and Nashville, TN is 17 days early."
Information from: https://www.usanpn.org/data/maps/spring
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/354/578/802/476/330/original/f092f54df7866208.png

2026-04-05 02:30:46 UTC

A reconstruction of March #Arctic sea ice extent since 1850 and compared with 2026 (record low levels)...
Find out more about this data is assembled by reading: https://www.carbonbrief.org/guest-post-piecing-together-arctic-sea-ice-history-1850/
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/349/743/817/967/912/original/7a633a4e41eeb25e.png

2026-04-04 23:46:35 UTC

Last month was statistically tied for the 13th lowest #Antarctic sea ice extent on record for the month of March.
This was 460,000 km² below the 1981-2010 March average. Data from https://nsidc.org/data/seaice_index
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/349/097/550/495/349/original/02c752120e8a1f5d.mp4

2026-04-04 00:21:50 UTC

Big sea surface temperature departures remained in the Labrador Sea for March 2026. Most ocean areas were warmer than average last month around the ice park, though cooler anomalies expanded in the eastern Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska regions.
Data from NOAA OISSTv2.1 at https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/optimum-interpolation-sst
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/343/573/028/190/021/original/185704f3a6ce212e.png

2026-04-03 15:44:54 UTC

Have a great weekend! Here's your Friday ice update - #Arctic sea ice extent is currently the 3rd lowest on record (JAXA data)...
• about 470,000 km² below the 2010s mean
• about 840,000 km² below the 2000s mean
• about 1,420,000 km² below the 1990s mean
• about 1,820,000 km² below the 1980s mean
More graphics you can use: https://zacklabe.com/arctic-sea-ice-extentconcentration/
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/341/542/033/991/474/original/272ab517b1e398c9.png

2026-04-03 13:11:12 UTC

Very excited to share the published form of our new #OpenAccess study: https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ae51a6
Given significant increases in Northeast U.S. extreme precipitation trends, we then test responses to rapid greenhouse drawdowns using a 25-km resolution climate model. Ultimately, our results show the benefit of early climate mitigation in terms of reducing extreme precipitation events, but also the complexity of regional climate responses, which can be modulated by seasonality, local-scale effects, and other factors.
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/340/932/148/440/772/original/d6659f2d1580e362.png

2026-04-03 00:38:57 UTC

Cumulative change in the mass of glaciers from all around the world - preliminary data just updated through 2025 ☹️
Information on methods: https://wgms.ch/products_ref_glaciers/
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/337/981/759/037/180/original/a928e69e29950f3b.png

2026-04-02 21:25:30 UTC

March 2026 #Arctic sea ice extent was statistically tied for the lowest on record for the month...
This was 1,300,000 km² below the 1981-2010 average. March ice extent is decreasing at about 2.49% per decade. Data: https://nsidc.org/data/seaice_index
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/337/220/627/591/939/original/6e5d6474e0a6a403.mp4

2026-04-02 12:19:08 UTC

#Antarctic sea ice extent reached its annual minimum in late February (16th lowest on record in the satellite era). This was mostly due to strong winds in the Weddell Sea region pushing the ice equatorward, which is reflected in March's ice concentration field.
Graphic by: https://zacklabe.com/antarctic-sea-ice-extentconcentration/
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/335/072/167/427/480/original/fe59c233b5c9f9e5.png

2026-04-02 02:10:45 UTC

"The program's interruption is the latest in a series of setbacks for Arctic researchers." https://www.eenews.net/articles/noaa-halts-crucial-dataset-that-helps-measure-arctic-sea-ice/

2026-04-01 15:01:00 UTC

"The amount of water stored in western U.S. snowpack is currently the lowest on record for April 1, when it's usually near the annual peak."
See Climate Central's latest Climate Matters on the historic snow drought: https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/western-snowpack-drought-2026
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/330/045/511/789/180/original/981e0fea308f5855.jpg

2026-04-01 00:05:34 UTC

Some particularly large temperature departures (and sharp meridional gradients) across the extratropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere in February 2026.
[Plot shows zonal-mean surface air temperature anomalies, where latitude = y-axis (not scaled by distance). Data: GISTEMPv4 (1951-1980)]
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/326/525/839/800/116/original/1bc549c9ea80b8c8.png

2026-03-31 12:20:13 UTC

Many weather stations across the southern two thirds of the U.S. are already logging a record number of 80°F (and even 85°F+) days this year. This really highlights to me the extreme nature of the warmth in March, with many areas already seeing summer-like heat.
Graphic from: https://sercc.com/
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/323/751/471/080/298/original/2fb7e178f0463757.png
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/323/751/471/080/297/original/227159ff6fb64ea3.png

2026-03-30 17:57:50 UTC

We are super excited to be joining the first-ever climate symposium by the American Camp Association!
We will be answering all of your questions about extreme weather and the climate connection in a panel later today.
Check out the other great talks too! https://www.acacamps.org/events-education/event/aca-climate-symposium
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/319/405/252/940/451/original/ee27f99f6479fe32.png

2026-03-30 13:40:02 UTC

Have a great week! Here's your Monday ice update - #Arctic sea ice extent is currently the 2nd lowest on record (JAXA data)...
• about 510,000 km² below the 2010s mean
• about 910,000 km² below the 2000s mean
• about 1,460,000 km² below the 1990s mean
• about 1,840,000 km² below the 1980s mean
More graphics: https://zacklabe.com/arctic-sea-ice-extentconcentration/
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/318/401/388/738/172/original/4b0abf66c2a34791.png

2026-03-30 12:04:25 UTC

The latest monthly status on carbon dioxide and methane levels...
For more data/info: https://gml.noaa.gov/ccgg/
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/318/027/746/053/273/original/767e3b77364bfa46.png

2026-03-30 01:10:51 UTC

Changes in March temperatures in the #Arctic by decade... (now updated through 2025 data)
Data from @npub13av…8hhw ERA5 reanalysis.
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/315/458/053/135/256/original/72fc7d68b97fa415.png

2026-03-29 12:54:38 UTC

I had a feeling this was going to happen. Sad news, especially given the poor state of sea ice after this winter.
Looks like we won't be getting any more data for Arctic sea-ice thickness and volume for a while from PIOMAS. See: https://psc.apl.uw.edu/research/projects/arctic-sea-ice-volume-anomaly/
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/312/562/797/002/963/original/baa875bd142cb7da.png

2026-03-29 01:27:19 UTC

A timeline of rapid change in the #Arctic from 1950 through all of 2025...
[*Click to open*]
Download high-resolution version: https://zacklabe.com/arctic-temperatures/. (ECMWF ERA5 temperature data)
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/309/859/913/708/074/original/472cee1dab7a754d.png

2026-03-28 18:38:40 UTC

When we should be approaching the peak accumulation in snowpack across the West, conditions have instead further rapidly deteriorated.
Another way to look at it: Colorado’s snow water equivalent has already reached a level that wasn’t seen until about a MONTH later in the previous worst record.
Graphic from https://nwcc-apps.sc.egov.usda.gov/awdb/basin-plots/POR/WTEQ/assocHUCco3/state_of_colorado.html
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/308/249/677/499/860/original/20987790c5988dd3.png

2026-03-28 14:02:51 UTC

🚨 My graphic showing cumulative change in the mass of reference glaciers around the world has now been updated with 2025's data. We are rapidly losing ice.
Graphic available at: https://zacklabe.com/climate-change-indicators/. More info: https://wgms.ch/global-glacier-state/
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/307/169/094/983/966/original/649e1f5065840cf4.png

2026-03-28 00:33:38 UTC

Spring is arriving across much of the West more than 20 days earlier than average when looking at when plants first leaf-out - even reaching almost to Canada! I'd expect significant ecological impacts from the heat this March.
Graphic and data from: https://www.usanpn.org/data/maps/spring
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/303/986/539/707/228/original/d7de09aea7e95722.png

2026-03-27 23:42:22 UTC

March heat wave is “particularly alarming,” but not our new normal, yet - https://www.aspenpublicradio.org/environment/2026-03-27/march-heat-wave-is-particularly-alarming-but-not-our-new-normal-yet

2026-03-27 15:04:21 UTC

Friday ice update - #Arctic sea ice extent is currently the *lowest* on record (JAXA data)...
• about 590,000 km² below the 2010s mean
• about 1,030,000 km² below the 2000s mean
• about 1,520,000 km² below the 1990s mean
• about 1,930,000 km² below the 1980s mean
More graphics: https://zacklabe.com/arctic-sea-ice-extentconcentration/
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/301/748/368/418/544/original/bfed5057a7ae87c6.png

2026-03-27 13:47:29 UTC

"‘Very alarming’ winter sees Arctic sea ice hit record-low for second year running" - via @npub1qk5…wj88 at https://www.carbonbrief.org/very-alarming-winter-sees-arctic-sea-ice-hit-record-low-for-second-year-running/

2026-03-26 23:18:39 UTC

🚨 It’s official: 2026 had the lowest annual maximum Arctic sea ice extent on record - essentially tied with last year’s record low.
Climate change is reshaping the Arctic, and it's all throughout the year.
For more information from: https://nsidc.org/news-analyses/news-stories/arctic-sea-ice-record-low-maximum-strikes-again
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/298/029/052/427/198/original/9ea44736bb7a4313.mp4

2026-03-26 13:21:29 UTC

Our latest Climate Shift Index alert is out, summarizing the additional record heat this week: https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-shift-index-alert?#record-breaking-march-heatwave-intensified-by-climate-change-continues-to-shatter-records-across-the-us
"From March 24 through 27, more than 42.5 million people across the western U.S. will experience at least one day with maximum temperatures at CSI of 3 or higher, indicating a strong influence from climate change."
Join our press briefing later today with Covering Climate Now for more: https://coveringclimatenow.org/event/press-briefing-virtually-impossible-heat-the-future-of-the-american-west/
https://fediscience.org/system/media_attachments/files/116/295/679/285/287/970/original/4b7256bd6926e66f.png