Great Arctic Cyclone of 2012

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Satellite image of Great Arctic Cyclone of 2012 (center) which was an unusually strong storm which formed off the coast of Alaska on August 5, 2012 and tracked into the center of the Arctic Ocean, where it slowly dissipated.

The Great Arctic Cyclone, or "Great Arctic Cyclone of 2012," was an extratropical cyclone which centered on the Arctic Ocean in early August, 2012. Such storms are rare in the Arctic summer, although common in the winter. The Great Arctic Cyclone was the strongest summer storm and the 13th strongest storm observed at any time since satellite observations began in 1979.

Although the Great Arctic Cyclone did not cause the record melting of sea ice which occurred in 2012, turbulence resulting from the storm is believed to have contributed to melting of sea ice due to the rise of warmer saltier water from below.