A polar bear stands on floating sea ice in the Arctic. The bears rely on sea ice to move throughout their hunting grounds.

Asthe Arctic warms at an unprecedented rate, scientists are bracing for an environmental milestone: the first ice-free day in the Arctic Ocean. New research shows that this event could occur as early as 2027 — a sobering prediction that highlights the rapidly escalating effects of climate change.

As the Arctic ice retreats, scientists warn of a pivotal moment approaching. Could the first ice-free day be just around the corner?

The first ice-free day in the Arctic could happen within three years, according to a new study. The research team used computer models to predict when the first ice-free day could happen in the northernmost ocean.