Arctic and Antarctic ice loss will account for about one-fifth of the warming that is projected to happen in the tropics, according to a new study. The years 2017 and 2018 set records for minimum sea ice extent in Antarctica. Antarctic sea ice loss combines with Arctic sea ice loss to create unusual wind patterns in the Pacific Ocean that will suppress the upward movement of deep cold ocean water. This will trigger surface ocean warming, especially in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. As that surface ocean water warms, it will also create more precipitation. Overall, the researchers believe the ice loss at both poles will translate to a warming of the surface ocean of 0.5℃ (0.9℉) at the equator and add more than 0.3 millimeters (0.01 inches) of rain per day in the same region.
— source University of California – San Diego | Mar 16, 2020