The Baltic Sea freezes every winter
The Baltic Sea partially freezes each winter due to its shallow depths and lower salinity, creating a unique ecosystem and impacting regional life, though climate change threatens this annual event.
Each winter, the Baltic Sea partially freezes, a phenomenon driven by its shallow depths and lower salinity. Unlike deeper oceans, its average depth of 55 meters means the water cools rapidly in Nordic winters. Reduced salt content, due to river inflows, also lowers its freezing point, making ice formation easier. Typically, ice covers up to 40% of the sea, especially in the Gulf of Bothnia and Gulf of Finland, impacting shipping and requiring icebreakers.
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