Invisible Clouds: The Bizarre Cause of Rapid Pole Warming

Methane emissions in the Eocene period may have contributed to polar warming by creating a blanket of invisible clouds that trapped warmth against the surface, boosting temperatures by 7 degrees Celsius during the coldest winter months. These polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) were more prevalent due to the positions of Earth's continents and mountains at the time. While PSCs are currently less common in the Arctic, rising greenhouse gas emissions could increase their prevalence in the future. Understanding the role of clouds, including PSCs, is crucial for accurate climate modeling and predicting the transformation of the poles, which are experiencing rapid warming and ecosystem changes.