According to a new analysis of climate models by an international team of researchers, heat escaping from the ocean through polynyas or openings in sea ice – influences sea and atmospheric temperatures and wind patterns around the globe – even rainfall around the tropics.
Check out this Article from Earksy.org: http://earthsky.org/earth/openings-in-antarctic-sea-ice-influence-global-climate?mc_cid=21722f1550&mc_eid=36fb49e54a