Antarctica Gained Ice Mass Between 2021 and 2023
Heavy snowfall temporarily offset long-term ice loss trends across the continent.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Environmental
Live Poll
Do you feel extreme weather events are becoming more frequent in your community?
Between July 2021 and April 2023, the Antarctic Ice Sheet gained 695 gigatonnes of mass due to increased snowfall. This gain effectively brought the continent's overall mass balance close to zero during that timeframe.
Why it matters
The unusual atmospheric patterns and intense moisture transport temporarily outweighed glacier calving and ice discharge. However, experts view this as a short-term interruption to the ongoing trend of ice loss caused by climate change.
Researchers measured 695 gigatonnes of mass accumulation across the Antarctic Ice Sheet. This accumulation was driven by atmospheric rivers that increased precipitation in East Antarctica, Queen Maud Land, and Wilkes Land.
The players
Antarctic Ice Sheet
The Antarctic Ice Sheet is a massive accumulation of ice containing most of the world's freshwater.
The details
Warming waters in the tropical Indian and Pacific oceans generated atmospheric pressure patterns that directed moisture toward the continent. These moisture-rich weather systems increased surface accumulation significantly compared to standard discharge levels.
Timeline
2020: Atmospheric rivers became more frequent and intense.
July 2021: Antarctic ice mass measurements began.
April 2023: Measured mass gain period concluded.
September 2026: Antarctic sea ice reached a winter maximum of 17.59 million square kilometres.
2100: Projected timeframe for sea-level rise contribution.
The Big Picture
This temporary accumulation of mass briefly alters the trajectory of ice loss but does not fundamentally disprove the established 21st-century projections for global mean sea-level rise. Scientific consensus maintains that the continent will shift back to net mass loss as the anomalous atmospheric circulation patterns fade.
While this mass gain provides a short-term buffer, researchers project a 92% probability of Antarctic mass loss continuing throughout this century. This trend remains a critical factor for global sea levels, which are expected to rise by as much as 25.4 centimetres by 2100.
The takeaway
Although recent snowfall temporarily balanced the Antarctic ice sheet, this event acts as an anomaly rather than a reversal of global warming. Residents and policymakers globally should continue to prepare for sea-level rise projections as circulation patterns return to historical norms.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Environmental research.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Economic Times.
Live Poll
Do you feel extreme weather events are becoming more frequent in your community?
