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Add to Preferred SourcesThe second Pan-Arctic Climate Outlook Forum (PARCOF-2) was held virtually on Tuesday 30 October to provide a summary of the previous summer season, and to give predictions for the forthcoming winter season.
The Forum is part of an international drive to improve weather, climate and sea-ice forecasts in a region that is undergoing rapid environmental change. It was attended by member countries of the Arctic Council, as well as representatives from the Arctic shipping and indigenous communities.
The Forum, hosted by WMO and coordinated by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, stated that the previous summer was warmer than average over the Arctic domain, with the exception of parts of Canada and central Greenland. This led to a minimum sea ice extent being the 6th lowest on record since 1979.
The outlook stated that average surface temperatures are expected to be above normal for the entire Arctic for November, December, and January. The sea ice fall freeze-up is expected earlier than normal in Hudson Bay, Baffin Bay, and the Beaufort Sea, and later than normal across most of the eastern Arctic. The March 2019 sea ice extent is expected to be below or near normal.
The reality of climate change and its impacts have prompted the decision to initiate Pan-Arctic seasonal predictions, based on collaboration through the Regional Climate Outlook Forum that is already a well-established mechanism in most parts of the world. Seasonal predictions support climate risk management, climate change adaptation and inform policy and decision-making in climate-sensitive sectors operating in the harsh Arctic environment.
Following the success of the first physical PARCOF held in Ottawa in May 2018, this virtual event is the next step towards the establishment of an Arctic Regional Climate Centre Network, based on the WMO Regional Climate Centre concept. The Network will receive active contributions from all the Arctic Council member countries.
Read the full statement Second Session of the Pan-Arctic Regional Climate Outlook Forum (PARCOF-2), virtual forum, October 2018
Original source: WMO
Published on 6 November 2018