In late winter 2023, Antarctica experienced extreme cold spells with record low temperatures.

Simultaneously, South America saw record-breaking high temperatures.

Researchers identified four distinct cold phases during this period in Antarctica.

Strong negative anomalies in the mid-tropospheric atmospheric environment contributed to the extreme cold.

Antarctica also recorded a record-breaking minimum sea ice extent in 2023, likely driven by climate change.

This level of sea ice loss would typically occur once every 2,000 years without climate change.

The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, utilized data from Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) to analyze these events.

The findings highlight the need for better preparation for future challenges in Antarctic logistics.

Scientists are concerned about the long-term impacts on Antarctic ecosystems and weather patterns if sea ice levels remain low for extended periods.