For 20 years, the Arctic Report Card (ARC) has vividly depicted the profound transformations of Arctic systems and their far-reaching consequences for societies in the region and beyond (see ARC 2025 Executive Summary). Accurate and timely observations of these rapid, system-wide changes are essential, making the internationally coordinated Arctic Observing Network (AON) a crucial foundation for assessments such as the ARC. This essay for the 20th anniversary Report Card provides an updated assessment of the AON, focusing on its strengths, persistent gaps, and risks in supporting scientific assessments typified by the ARC.
Starkweather et al. (Mon,) studied this question.