| Type | Weakened polar vortex, El Niño, and climate change-induced Heat wave |
|---|---|
| Areas | East Antarctica, Central Antarctica |
| Start date | July 2024 |
| End date | Ongoing |
| Related events | |
| Climate change in Antarctica, 2023–2024 El Niño event | |
The 2024 Antarctica heat wave refers to a prolonged and significant mid-winter increase in Antarctic temperatures compared to prior winters, causing several regions of Antarctica to reach temperatures 10 °C (18.0 °F) above normal in July 2024, up to a 28 °C (50.4 °F) increase above average. The heat wave was significant for occurring during the middle of the Antarctic winter when little to no sunlight shines on the continent, and temperatures are annually at their lowest historically.[1]