Heavy rain surprises in the Arctic explorers

OTTAWA (Reuters) – In what appears to be another sign that the Arctic is warming rapidly, British explorers in the far north of Canada reported on Tuesday that they were surprised this weekend by torrential rain.

rainfall were recorded at the base where they were, which is located on the island of Ellef Rignes, 3,900 km (2,420 miles) north of the capital, Ottawa.

“It was definitely a scare (…) rainfall in northern Canada in April is an unexpected event,” said Pen Hadow, head of the expedition team.

“Scientists say we can expect more and more such experiences, which are the result of global warming, “he told Reuters in a telephone interview from London.

The Arctic is warming three times faster the rest of the Earth. Scientists link the increase in temperature to the emission of greenhouse gases generated by global warming.

Tyler Fish, base guide, said that the effects of rain feel to two days later.

“We are disappointed. Rain is not expected in the Arctic and many of us come here to escape that kind of weather,” he says.

“We are concerned that the heat can begin to damage the scientific samples and food,” he said.

Hadow said that a Canadian scientist camp, located 145 kilometers west of the polar base, was also affected by rain.

The base provides a team of three members who are 1,100 miles north, on the ice. The trio studies the impact of increased carbon dioxide absorption by sea, which could add acid to water.

Experts say the thick layer of Arctic sea ice is disappearing every day , which opens the way for boats. U.S. data show that the ice sheet, 2009 was three times thinner than the 2007 and 2008.

Hadow mind that the team carrying out the experiments with carbon dioxide had noticed the ice was much thinner and moved around from where they were. The wind was stronger than usual.

Early in the month, a piece of ice where the tent was broke, but luckily none of the wounded team scouts . The group will leave the place next month and to publish preliminary results in this year.

The expedition is sponsored by the British insurer Catlin.

(Reporting by David Ljunggren, editing by Juana Casas in Spanish)