Theoretical predictions suggest that the North Pole should be cooler than it actually is. What helps to warm regions at high latitudes? The Earth's tilt on its axis means that for half the year the temperatures at the North Pole will increase. The heat-carrying capacity of water takes warm water toward the poles with ocean currents, and warms some northern regions. Warm air from the equator moves toward the poles before descending. There is a large amount of ice, and the ability of water held in the ice to resist temperature changes means it holds a lot of heat.