Seasonal decline continues, extent remains near record low values
Total Arctic sea ice extent has remained at or near record low levels throughout May. The sea ice extent decreased from 12.841 million km² to 11.439 million km² by May 31. From the start of the month until May 11, daily sea ice extent hovered at record low levels in a near tie with 2019. During the latter half of the month, sea ice extent has been second or third lowest in the satellite time series, close to the very low extents recorded in 2018, 2016, and 2020 during this time of year
Despite the overall below-average Arctic sea ice extent, regional conditions varied considerably. The Bering Sea had very extensive sea ice this spring. Although the ice in the Bering Sea has largely melted by now, ice extent in Alaskan waters and in the Chukchi Sea remains near or above average for the season, aside from an area of open water that has developed northwest of Point Hope. As in previous months, below-average ice conditions in Eastern Canada and the European Arctic accounted for much of the overall Arctic sea ice deficit. Detailed regional information is available via the NOAA sea ice outlook (May 28th).
