© 2026 ABC News

As for whether the Feb. 25 reading was a historical record, scientist Graham told ABC News, “We do not have the data to answer that question. I think December 2015 was also a very strong contender.”

\"PHOTO:
Climate Reanalyzer
PHOTO: Graph shows North Pole temperature reaching into the 30s on Sunday, Feb 25.
>
\"PHOTO:
Mario Hoppmann via AFP/Getty Images, FILE
PHOTO: This handout file photo taken on August 22, 2015 and provided by the European Geosciences Union shows a polar bear testing the strength of thin sea ice in the Arctic.
>

But he did say with certainty that warmer temperatures stem from the area’s increasing number of winter storms.

Each storm brings strong winds that transport warm air to the Arctic, he added

“These storms are preventing the Arctic from growing during the winter,” Graham said. “This makes it easy for the sea ice to melt in summer.”

The biggest concern, Graham said, is that such changes in the Arctic may eventually lead to rising sea levels and more threatening storms in the southern regions.

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