Greenland's record heatwaves as ice sheet melts faster than ever

“While a heatwave of around 20 degrees Celsius may not seem extreme to most people in the world, it is a huge deal for this region,” Otto explains. “It has a huge impact on the whole world,” he adds.

The researchers note that Iceland has also experienced a historic rise in temperatures. On May 15, it recorded more than 26 degrees Celsius (79.6 degrees Fahrenheit) – an unprecedented high for this time of year. “The temperatures observed in Iceland in May are record-breaking – more than 13 degrees Celsius (39.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above the average daily maximum temperatures from 1991–2020,” the WWA report says. According to the Icelandic Meteorological Institute, 94 percent of weather stations across the country recorded record temperatures in May.

Heatwaves could become even more intense

Scientists emphasize that changing climate conditions affect not only the natural environment, but also local communities and infrastructure. These changes also affect health, as many rural households in Greenland do not have sewage systems.

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“In Greenland and Iceland, infrastructure was designed for cold climates, which means that during a heatwave, melting ice can lead to flooding and damage to roads and infrastructure,” the report warns, recalling that in 2022, higher temperatures led to the thawing of permafrost, releasing iron and other metals into Arctic lakes.