Baltic Sea's Rare Deep Freeze Creates Towering Icebergs and Chaos
The Baltic Sea has frozen over more extensively this winter after years of milder conditions, with the Greifswald Bodden now featuring towering icebergs and thick ice sheets that draw curious visitors onto the frozen surface. The dramatic shift follows decades of declining ice formation in the region, with winters growing shorter, ice layers thinner, and full freezes rarer due to rising water temperatures and climate change. This year, however, fierce winds and plunging temperatures have transformed the scene, with massive ice floes stacking up near Garz and forming jagged icebergs several metres high. The spectacle has lured people onto the frozen bay, despite warnings about shifting conditions. The extreme ice buildup is also causing problems, with shipping routes along the coast facing delays as wind-driven floes block channels. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, with safety concerns growing for both vessels and onlookers. The sudden return of thick ice marks a rare reversal in a long-term trend of warmer winters, disrupting maritime traffic and attracting visitors to the frozen landscape. Experts continue to track how climate patterns may influence future ice formation in the region.
