The Norwegian arctic archipelago has recorded the highest temperatures for more than 40 years

Global warming in the Arctic is happening twice as fast as the rest of the planet, according to a scientific study.

Oslo:
The Norwegian Arctic archipelago of Svalbard recorded its highest temperature in more than 40 years on Saturday, almost equal to the all-time record, the country's meteorological institute reported.

Global warming in the Arctic is happening twice as fast as the rest of the planet, according to a scientific study.

For the second day in a row, the archipelago recorded 21.2 degrees Celsius (70.2 Fahrenheit) afternoon heat, just below the 21.3 degrees recorded in 1979, the meteorologist told AFP . Kristen gislefoss

The island group, dominated by Spitsbergen, the only inhabited island in the archipelago of northern Norway, lies 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) from the North Pole.

The relative heat wave, which is expected to last until Monday, is a huge spike in normal temperatures in July, the hottest month in the Arctic.

The islands of Svalbard normally expect to see temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees Celsius at this time of year.