2025 Winter Maximum Sea Ice Extent in Arctic Smallest on Record

The National Snow and Ice Data Center reports that Arctic sea ice appeared to have reached its seasonal maximum extent on March 22, 2025, 10 days later than the 1981-2010 average. Despite the late peak, it was the lowest maximum extent of the 47-year satellite era, which began in 1979.

The new record-low winter maximum is part of the long-term trend of shrinking ice cover across the Arctic as a result of global warming. All of the top 10 smallest winter ice extents of the satellite record have occurred since 2007.

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