The Arctic is not a place commonly associated with green fields and forest fires, but a new study compiling data from 2013 shows the region is become less of a winter wonderland and more of a temperate environment.

The National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration released their annual Arctic Report Card for 2013, and it reveals that the region is continuing to go into what is considered the new normal for the region. The report, which can be read in full here, detailed how cooler temperatures in the Arctic Ocean, Greenland, and Northern Canada helped curb some of the sea ice and ice sheet loss found in Greenland.

David M. Kennedy, NOAA's deputy under secretary for operations revealed the finding during the American Geophysical Union annual meeting in San Francisco and stated that while the region did not have the worst year environmentally, continued climate change has continued reshaping the region:

"The Arctic caught a bit of a break in 2013 from the recent string of record-breaking warmth and ice melt of the last decade...But the relatively cool year in some parts of the Arctic does little to offset the long-term trend of the last 30 years: the Arctic is warming rapidly, becoming greener and experiencing a variety of changes, affecting people, the physical environment, and marine and land ecosystems."

Several areas in the Arctic Circle experienced very erratic temperature over the year. For example, Alaska had the coldest April since 1924, but the state had one of the warmest summers ever as well. Due to these warm temperatures sea ice continued to melt steadily and more snow melted during the months. This in turn has made the growing season in the Arctic longer, and has lead to more plant life sprouting and more abundant crops.

While a greener and warmer Alaska and Canada may sound nice, it is disastrous for the ecosystem as it is now. More plant life has lead to a spike in wildfires, which can destroy large areas of land. While some animal life such as the muskox is showing increased numbers, reindeer and caribou herds have lower than average numbers. Marine life in the Arctic has begun migrating north to find cooler ocean temperatures so they can continue to survive.
It remains to be seen if the negative effects of climate change can be slowed or stopped so that Arctic life can continue to exist, or if rising temperatures permanently alter the region.