Dec 18, 2014 10:54 AM EST By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

A new report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has found that the average temperature in the Arctic is rising twice as fast than it is in the rest of the world.

According to CBS News, the NOAA's annual Arctic report card specifically said these findings are a "major indicator of global warming." The researchers also said it could the reason behind various weather events like the polar vortex on the U.S. East Coast, as well as warm winds in Alaska and Northern Europe.

The NOAA researchers presented their findings this week at the annual American Geophysical Union fall meeting in San Francisco, according to a press release.

"Arctic warming is setting off changes that affect people and the environment in this fragile region, and has broader effects beyond the Arctic on global security, trade, and climate," Craig McLean, acting assistant administrator for the NOAA Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, said in a news conference. "This year's Arctic Report Card shows the importance of international collaboration on long-term observing programs that can provide vital information to inform decisions by citizens, policymakers and industry."

Released regularly since 2006, the annual Arctic report card is co-authored by researchers from all over the globe, consisting of academics and government officials alike. This year the report had 63 authors from 13 different countries.

"The Arctic Report Card 2014 presents observations vital for documenting the state of the Arctic environmental system, understanding the complex interactions and feedbacks within the system, and predicting its future," report principal editor Dr. Martin Jeffries, arctic science advisor and program officer for arctic and global prediction, said in the release. "Observing, understanding and predicting are essential elements of the Arctic Research Plan of the Inter-agency Arctic Research Policy Committee and the implementation of the U.S. National Strategy for the Arctic Region."

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