Science·June 17, 2026·Wired

West Antarctica Is Missing Way Too Much Ice

Researchers investigating the **Bellingshausen Sea** off western Antarctica found that an area of sea ice **nearly the size of Texas failed to form** during the Antarctic winter, driven by temperatures soaring up to 45 degrees Fahrenheit above normal. This significant loss of sea ice is being studied for its links to **accelerated global warming**, as the absence of ice reduces the ocean's ability to reflect heat and may trigger faster warming feedback loops than current climate models predict.

More in Science