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For the first time in recorded history, both the Barents Sea and Kara Sea are nearly ice-free during mid-winter, marking a concerning milestone for the Arctic, according to climate scientist Céline Heuzé from the University of Gothenburg. The overall ice cover is at a new low for this time of year, with just over 13 million square kilometers covered by at least 15% ice as of January 20, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center.

Heuzé notes that the slow growth of new ice has been evident since autumn, particularly in regions like Hudson Bay, and highlights three main factors contributing to the rapid ice loss: warmer Arctic temperatures, elevated ocean temperatures, and a reduction in ice thickness. This situation raises safety concerns for researchers conducting measurements. A study indicated that the Arctic could experience its first ice-free day before 2030, which, while symbolically significant, underscores the alarming trends in Arctic climate change.