Winter storms in the south-western Ross Sea have become more frequent and more intense during the study period, with significant consequences. More intense and frequent stormsThe researchers found that winter storms in the south-western Ross Sea became more frequent and more intense during this period, while also becoming more variable. This is especially important in the McMurdo Sound region, which connects the Ross Sea with the McMurdo Ice Shelf. The area is also home to New Zealand's Scott Base research station and the United States' McMurdo Station, the largest research facility in Antarctica. "Furthermore, monitoring of winter sea ice can only begin later in the year.