Eugene S. Takle
© 2005
Global models consistently simulate higher levels of global warming at high latitude regions than in the tropics or mid-latitude regions. The Arctic and Antarctic regions have few surface and upper air observing stations compared to the continental areas of the mid-latitudes. Satellite observations, therefore, provide valuable measurements of climate factors important to monitoring climate change, particularly changes in sea ice extent, glacier extend, and snow cover extent (Comisco and Parkinson, 2004). The Arctic has warmed by about 1oC in the last two decades with clearly observed changes in Arctic climate (Comisco and Parkinson, 2004).
Reference
Comisco, J. C., and C. L. Parkinson, 2004: Satellite-observed changes in the Arctic. Physics Today, August 2004, 38-44.