Arctic sea ice听likely reached its maximum extent for the year, at 14.78 million square kilometers (5.71 million square miles) on March 13, 2019, according to scientists at the听)听directed by Geography professor Mark Serreze听at the 彩民宝典. The 2019 maximum is effectively tied with the 2007 maximum at seventh lowest in the 40-year satellite record.
鈥淲hile this is not a record low year for the Arctic sea ice maximum extent, the last four years have been the lowest in our record, reflecting a downward trend in winter sea ice extent,鈥� said NSIDC senior research scientist听Walt Meier. 鈥淭his is just another indicator of the rapid changes that are occurring in the Arctic due to climate change.鈥�
Please note that the Arctic sea ice extent number is preliminary鈥攃ontinued winter conditions could still push the ice extent higher. NSIDC will issue a formal announcement at the beginning of April with full analysis of the possible causes behind this year鈥檚 ice conditions, interesting aspects of the ice growth season and graphics comparing this year to the long-term record. For example, this year has been marked by particularly low extent in the Bering Sea, including substantial ice loss during the month of February.
NSIDC is part of the听听at the听彩民宝典. The听听is supported in part by NASA.
To read the full analysis of this year's ice conditions, visit听NSIDC's听听辫补驳别.听
Download the NASA animation of the 2019 Arctic sea ice melt season听.
Scientists collect sea ice data in the Beaufort Sea northeast of Barrow, Alaska. Image credit: NASA/Kathryn Hansen.听