NSIDC - Warm Winds From Alaska's North Slope May Move Extent Close To 2007 Record

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Alaska's warm weather this summer has all "gone north." Way north. Scientists at the National Snow and Ice Data Center say strong, southerly winds from the North Slope have devoured a huge swath of Arctic ice larger than the state of Texas in the heart of the Beaufort Sea.

Combining that loss with the overall decline in sea ice in recent years should leave this year's end-of-summer Arctic ice pack close to its lowest measurement on record.

It may also open up the ice-encrusted Northwest Passage for the second year in a row, and only the second time in recorded history.

EDIT

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008090008_ndig04.html

[XemaSab]

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