Arctic Sea Ice Ties Record-Low Maximum Extent

Arctic sea ice reached its annual maximum extent on March 15, tying the lowest level recorded in nearly five decades of satellite observations, scientists announced this week. The extent measured 14.29 million square kilometers, or 5.52 million square miles, according to data from the National Snow and Ice Data Center. This figure is statistically equivalent to last year's record low of 14.31 million square kilometers, as differences under 40,000 square kilometers fall within the margin of measurement variability.

The peak came about a week earlier than in 2025 and marked the second consecutive year of record-low winter coverage. Compared to the 1981-2010 average, this year's maximum was 1.36 million square kilometers smaller, an area roughly twice the size of Texas. Researchers noted that the ice not only covered less ground but was also thinner than in previous years, particularly in regions like the Barents Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk. Satellite observations from NASA's ICESat-2 mission showed record-low thickness near the North Pole for several months, placing Arctic sea ice in one of its weakest states during late winter.

This decline aligns with a long-term downward trend...