Arctic ice hits 'tipping point'

Dwindling Arctic sea ice may have reached a 'tipping point' that could make British winters even wetter, according to researchers. Arctic sea ice levels naturally ebb and flow throughout the year and are always lowest in September. But September 2005 marked their lowest level in 50 years and satellite data show average September sea ice extent down by 8.6 per cent per decade and accelerating. Some computer models even predict an ice-free Arctic Ocean in September by 2050. The loss of Arctic sea ice is most often tied to harmful effects to wildlife and increasing erosion of coastlines. But today, scientists at the University of Colorado warn in the journal Science of a link between Arctic sea ice loss and changes in atmospheric patterns. These patterns could result in reduced rainfall in the American West and increased precipitation over western and southern Europe.