The South Pole has warmed three times the global rate in the past 30 years, Kiwi scientists revealed on Monday.
Temperatures have skyrocketed due to natural swings in Antarctica's climate and man-made greenhouse gas emissions.
Climate scientists previously believed Antarctica might be immune to global warming, but the Nature Climate Change study has proved otherwise.
The research shows between 1989 and 2018, oceans warmed at a record rate of 0.61C.
Natural variability in the tropical Pacific is changing Antarctica's climate, making the South Pole one of the most rapidly warming regions on earth.
Strong low-pressure systems and stormy weather east of the Antarctic Peninsula has flowed clockwise, transporting warm and moist air into the Antarctic plateau.
The South Pole is warming at a rate of 0.61C every decade, compared to the rest of the planet's 0.20C.
The study's lead author, University of Victoria researcher Kyle Clem says he hopes the findings will encourage world leaders to better prepare for extreme weather swings in the future.
Ice loss occurs mostly in West Antarctica, where land glaciers are often in direct contact with warm ocean waters.
If all of Antarctica's ice melted, global sea levels would rise by 60 metres.
