Midsummer approaches Lake Siljan in central Sweden

Antarctic sea ice plays an important role in the polar climate system, influencing not only Southern Ocean ecosystems but also global ocean circulation. For this reason, sea ice conditions are closely monitored to better understand their impact.

On 14 June 2026, a wildfire was reported close to the Kangerluarsuk Ungalleq fjord, north-east of Sisimiut, Greenland’s second-largest city. The fire broke out in a largely ice-covered landscape of rocky terrain and sparse vegetation.

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, observed on 17 June, highlights the importance of monitoring heat- and water-related stress on land, ecosystems, and societies.

On 8 June 2026, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines. The earthquake uplifted sections of the island’s southern coastline, raising the seabed by up to 2 metres, and exposing coral reefs and other previously submerged areas, and affecting the local marine environment.

Between 10 and 11 June 2026, a major winter storm brought significant snowfall to high-altitude sections of the Andes along the Argentina–Chile border, marking one of the first major snow events of the austral winter season. The severe weather created hazardous travel conditions and may have led to temporary restrictions or closures.