Satellite gravimetry data from the GRACE and GRACE-FO missions revealed this unexpected gain, capturing subtle shifts in Earth’s gravitational field caused by changing ice mass. The culprit behind this temporary mass increase was heavy snowfall, blanketing parts of West and East Antarctica with an unprecedented volume of snow. This accumulation slowed the rate of global sea-level rise by approximately 0.30 millimeters annually, a small but significant relief after decades of loss.
While this snowfall anomaly offers a rare glimmer of hope, scientists caution against complacency. The Antarctic Ice Sheet’s long-term trend remains one of decline due to warming oceans and atmosphere. This brief reversal is unlikely to halt global sea-level rise but underscores the complex and dynamic nature of Earth’s climate system.
