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 Arctic Sea ice extent in 2026 (blue line) compared to last year (2025, dark green), 2016, and the record minimum year 2012. Ice extent remains very low for the time of year (graphic: https://nsidc.org/) 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 ...

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.   Arctic Sea ice extent in 2026 (blue line) compared to last ...

Arctic sea ice extent increased from 13.59 million km² on February 1 to 14.15 million km² on March 1, according to NSIDC data. This represents a 4.1% increase during February, slightly below the long-term February average growth rate of 4.3%. Ice growth slowed between February 20 and 27, when a temporary decrease in Arctic sea ice extent was observed. Expansion resumed on February 28 as the climatological mid-to-late March period for the annual maximum sea ice extent approaches. The 4.1% growth in February 2026 exceeded the 2.5% increase observed during February 2025, the year that ultimately recorded the lowest maximum Arctic sea ice extent in the 47-year satellite record. On February 1, Arctic sea ice extent ranked as the third lowest for that date in the satellite era, with only 2018 and 2025 having lower values. As of March 1, the extent of 14.15 million km² ranks as the second lowest in the satellite-era record for that date, with 2025 remaining the lowest. In 2025, the annual maximum Arctic sea ice extent reached a record-low 14.31 million km² on March 22. As of March 1, 2026, Arctic sea ice extent would need to increase by 0.16 million km² (159 thousand ...