Arctic sea ice has reached minimum extent for 2026; Antarctic sea ice maximum most likely reached as well

Arctic sea ice minimum ties for tenth lowest  

On September 12, Arctic sea ice likely reached its annual minimum extent of 4.60 million square kilometers (1.78 million square miles). The 2026 minimum shares the tenth lowest spot in the nearly 48-year satellite record with 2008, 2010, and 2025. The last 20 years, from 2007 to 2026, are the lowest 20 sea ice extents in the satellite record.

In the Antarctic, sea ice extent has been tracking near record low levels for most of the growth season, most likely reaching its maximum extent on September 14 at 17.59 million square kilometers (6.79 million square miles). If this maximum date holds, this will be the third lowest Antarctic sea ice maximum on record. It must be noted that large fluctuations in extent are typical of Antarctic sea ice near the seasonal maximum, often leading to some delay in confidently identifying the maximum, which typically occurs in late September or early October but has been reached as early as August 30.

Note that this is a preliminary announcement. Changing winds or late-season melt could still reduce the Arctic ice extent, as happened in 2005 and 2010. NSIDC scientists will release a full analysis of the Arctic melt season, and discuss the

Original Post: https://echoesofthelastmind.com/arctic-sea-ice-has-reached-minimum-extent-for-2026-antarctic-sea-ice-maximum-most-likely-reached-as-well/