Greenland's West Coast Registers Warmest January on Record

Unprecedented January Warmth Across Greenland's West Coast

Greenland's west coast has recorded its warmest January on record in 2026, with the capital city of Nuuk experiencing temperatures significantly above historical averages. Preliminary data from the Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI) indicated that Nuuk registered an average monthly temperature of 0.1 degrees Celsius, marking the first time since measurements began that the January average has been above freezing. This figure is a striking 7.8 degrees Celsius above the average for the month of January over the last three decades and surpassed the city's previous January record from 1917 by 1.4 degrees Celsius. On the warmest day of the month, the mercury in Nuuk climbed to an unseasonably mild 11.3 degrees Celsius.

The record warmth was not confined to the capital. From Greenland's southern tip along the entire west coast, spanning more than 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles), January temperatures reached new monthly highs. In Ilulissat, located in Disko Bay, the average temperature for January was recorded at -1.6 degrees Celsius, which was 1.3 degrees Celsius warmer than the previous record set in 1929 and approximately 11 degrees Celsius above the long-term January norm.

Climate Change Signals and Scientific Commentary

DMI climate researcher Martin Olesen emphasized the significance of these findings, stating, 'Such an extended heat record across such a large area is a clear indication that something is changing.' He added, 'We know and can clearly see that global warming is well underway, which, as expected, leads to more records at the warm end of the temperature scale and gradually fewer records at the low end.' The Arctic region is particularly vulnerable to climate change, warming approximately four times faster than the global average since 1979, according to a 2022 study published in the scientific journal *Nature*.

Widespread Impacts on Environment and Economy

The sustained warmer temperatures are already having tangible impacts across Greenland, affecting both its environment and traditional economic activities. Key impacts include:

• Sea Ice Patterns: Ice is forming later, extending less far south, and becoming thinner, which diminishes its reliability for transportation and traditional activities.
• Fishing Industry: Greenland's largest export sector, fishing, faces challenges as warming ocean temperatures could alter marine ecosystems and fish migration patterns, potentially impacting catch volumes.
• Tourism: Reduced snow cover and unstable ice conditions are disrupting winter tourism activities such as snowmobiling and skiing.
• Permafrost Thaw: In areas like Ilulissat, rising temperatures are causing permafrost to melt, leading to issues such as sinking buildings and cracking pipes.
• Glacial Retreat: The nearby Sermeq Kujalleq glacier, one of the fastest-moving outside Antarctica, is retreating and carving off ice faster, contributing to rising sea levels globally.
• Mineral Extraction: Conversely, warmer conditions could reduce operational and transportation costs, potentially making mineral extraction more economically viable.

The shift in weather patterns also makes traditional activities more hazardous, with fishermen noting that increased rain instead of snow leads to different, more dangerous ice formations. Scientists continue to monitor the situation, as Greenland's winter temperatures may set additional historic highs in the coming months.