Arctic Sea Ice Update

  • Released Thursday, September 22, 2016
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The 2016 Arctic sea ice annual minimum ties second lowest on record.

The 2016 Arctic sea ice annual minimum ties second lowest on record.

Arctic sea ice appeared to have reached its annual lowest extent on September 10, 2016. An analysis of satellite data showed that at 1.60 million square miles, the 2016 Arctic sea ice minimum extent is effectively tied with 2007 for the second lowest yearly minimum in the satellite record. Arctic sea ice shrinks every year during the spring and summer until it reaches its minimum yearly extent. It regrows during the frigid fall and winter months, when the sun is below the horizon in the Arctic. The Arctic sea ice cover helps regulate the planet’s temperature, influences the circulation of the atmosphere and ocean, and impacts Arctic communities and ecosystems, which is why scientists track how the extent and thickness of the sea ice is changing. Since satellites began monitoring sea ice in 1978, researchers have observed a steep decline in the average extent of Arctic sea ice for every month of the year. Watch the video to see the evolution of this year's Arctic sea ice cover from its wintertime maximum extent to its annual minimum.

This visualization created from satellite data shows daily changes in Arctic sea ice cover from Mar. 24 to Sept. 10, 2016.

On Mar. 24, 2016, Arctic sea ice covered an area of 5.607 million square miles. It was the lowest wintertime maximum extent on record.

On Mar. 24, 2016, Arctic sea ice covered an area of 5.607 million square miles. It was the lowest wintertime maximum extent on record.

On Sept. 10, 2016, Arctic sea ice reached its summertime minimum extent, covering an area of 1.60 million square miles.

On Sept. 10, 2016, Arctic sea ice reached its summertime minimum extent, covering an area of 1.60 million square miles.

This year's Arctic sea ice minimum extent is 911,000 square miles below the 1981-2010 average, shown here as a gold line.

This year's Arctic sea ice minimum extent is 911,000 square miles below the 1981-2010 average, shown here as a gold line.

For More Information

See NASA.gov

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Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio

This page was originally published on Thursday, September 22, 2016.
This page was last updated on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 1:48 PM EDT.