Figures show Arctic ice dramatically increased during winter

As parts of the world experienced a brutal winter and record snowfall, the Arctic ice grew almost the average levels of ice again.

The United States recorded snowfall in all 50 states this winter season and parts of the United Kingdom are still experiencing winter as temperatures have fallen below -5 degrees Celsius and snow. However, this unusual weather has actually helped the Arctic ice cap as it has reportedly gained nearly the average levels of ice again, according to the Telegraph. The Arctic ice increased dramatically for the first time since 2001, which was illustrated in figures published by the U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) in Colorado. The Danish Meteorological Institute’s figures also showed that the Arctic Ice had the highest growth in the last six years. The Times Online reports that strong, chilly winds across the Bering Sea over the past few months have also caused thousands of square miles of ocean to freeze. Nevertheless, some are still denying that this is the end of global warming. Mark Serreze of the NSIDC believes the latest reports don’t show any “indication” that global warming is over, reports Top News. “If you look at the Arctic as a whole we might get to average amounts of sea ice for the time of year. But the ice is thin and quite vulnerable and it can melt very quickly,” said Serreze. However, many scientists and officials are now starting to question the notion that the North Pole will be free of ice within the next three years. David Whitehouse of the Global Warming Policy Foundation said that it does seem that the sea ice is returning to average after the record lows over the last few years and noted a recovery trend. “The recent observations do make the 2007 projections that the region would be ice free by 2013 look very unrealistic. Given what is happening only the foolish would look many years into the future and predict ice free summers now,” said Whitehouse. Digital Journal also reported in February that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change underestimated the Antarctic sea ice increase by 50 per cent.