Lowest maximum extent in the satellite record
Arctic sea ice reached its annual maximum extent on March 15, 2026, at 14.278 million km². This is the lowest maximum extent in the satellite record and approximately 29,000 km² (0.20%) lower than the previous record low set on March 22, 2025. Given the small difference, 2025 and 2026 are effectively tied for the lowest annual maximum sea ice extent in the 47-year record.
Sea ice extent increased from 14.149 million km² on March 1 to its seasonal maximum on March 15. The ice extent remained at or near record low levels throughout April as the seasonal decline began. Sea ice extent decreased from 13.991 million km² on April 1 to 12.979 million km² by April 30. During the last week of April, daily sea ice extent dropped to record low levels in a near tie with the same time of year in 2019 (Data source: nsidc.org).
Notably, sea ice extent has been lowest in the satellite record on 28 days so far in 2026, with very low extents occurring mainly in January, the second half of March, and late April.
Bering Sea ice above average in March and April
Despite the overall below-average Arctic sea ice extent, regional conditions varied considerably. The Bering Sea experienced near-record ice coverage in late March and early April. The ice edge extended beyond St. George Island in March – an occurrence observed only twice previously in the satellite record (since 1976). Ice coverage spanned nearly the entire Bering Sea continental shelf. Coastal ice extended down the Alaska Peninsula to near Cape Sarichef and floating ice briefly choked off False Pass (Aleutians). As per NOAA, this has not happened during the last 50 years (NOAA Sea Ice Outlook).
As of April 30, the ice edge was at or near the 1981–2010 median in the western Bering Sea and north of the median further east. Sea ice in Cook Inlet has melted throughout April at relatively average rates. Ice concentrations were relatively low throughout the Bering Sea region. As in previous months, below-average ice conditions in Eastern Canada, the European Arctic, and the Sea of Okhotsk accounted for much of the overall Arctic sea ice deficit.
