Arctic sea ice hits a record LOW

The Arctic sea ice has reached a record low because of warm temperatures in two important areas. Japans National Institute of Polar Research has warned about this.
The Arctics annual maximum extent, which is the point in winter when ice coverage should be highest is now smaller than at any time since satellite observations began in 1979.
At its point on March 13 the ice covered 5.31 million square miles.

This is slightly less than the low in March 2025 when the coverage was six per cent below the average for 1991 to 2010.
Compared to the low in 2025 the Arctic ice sheet was 11,580 square miles smaller this year.
Researchers say that warm temperatures in the Sea of Okhotsk near Russia and Baffin Bay off the coast of Canada meant the ice did not expand.

The National Institute of Polar Research says there are concerns that Arctic sea ice changes may reach a point of no return because of warming.
This could trigger a chain of impacts across the climate system.
Arctic sea ice usually increases during the Northern Hemispheres winter. It grows outwards between October and March.
After reaching its maximum the sea ice then melts away between April and September to hit the minimum.
However in the winter of 2025 to 2026 the Arctic sea ice remained fairly low throughout the season.

Using data from the Japanese Space Agency's SHIZUKU satellite researchers found that this culminated in a record maximum in March.
Comparing the sea ice extent to the average for 2010 clearly shows the problem.
The boundary of the Arctic ice was miles further back in March 2026 than it was in 2010.
This was particularly true in the Sea of Okhotsk and the Baffin Bay.

Detailed analysis showed that the temperatures in these areas were significantly higher than normal between January and February.

This severely hindered ice formation.
Strong south-easterly winds combined with water in the Sea of Okhotsk meant the ice extent actually began to decrease as early as February 19.
At its point on March 13 the ice covered 5.31 million square miles, which is 1,580 square miles less than the previous record low in 2025.

Scientists blame hot conditions in parts of Baffin Bay and the Sea of Okhotsk.
These conditions prevented the ice from growing during the winter months.
Here are the Arctic sea ice maximums for the few years:

* March 13 2026: 5.31 million miles

* March 22 2025: 5.53 million square miles

* March 14 2024: 5.8 million square miles

* March 6 2023: 5.64 million square miles

* February 25 2022: 5.75 million miles

This comes as scientists continue to warn that the warming climate is threatening the existence of sea ice in the Arctic ocean.
Previous studies have suggested that the first year in which the sea ice completely vanishes in summer could come soon as next year.

Using computer simulations scientists predicted that the Arctics first ice-free day is guaranteed to occur within nine to 20 years.
However some simulations suggested that an ice-free day could occur by 2027.
Separate research found that the Arctic has actually been melting at a rate for the past 20 years.
From 1979 to 2024 ice was lost from the Arctic at a rate of 2.9 million kilometres per decade.
From 2010 to 2024 the rate had reduced to just 0.4 million cubic kilometres per decade.

However this slowdown will probably only continue for five to 10 years.
With the winter maximum at its extent since records began in 1979 there are fears that the Arctic might experience an ice-less summer in the coming decade.
When this slowdown ends it's likely to be followed by a than-average sea ice decline.
Sea ice is already floating on the ocean so its melting doesn't directly affect sea levels.

However the ice plays a role in regulating the temperature of the atmosphere and oceans.
The National Institute of Polar Research says that sea ice is a component of the climate system.
Its fluctuations can impact weather patterns and marine environments.
Without a cover of ice the Arctic oceans would absorb significantly more energy, from the sun.
This risks destabilizing the balance of weather systems and raising sea levels as the warmer water expands.

Dr Céline Heuzé says that this would cause extreme weather, year-round.


Reference
by William Hunter
Arctic sea ice hits a record LOW - as scientists warn we're inching closer to a 'point of no return'
.Dailymailcom   Available at-https:https://www.dailymail.com/sciencetech/article-15791219/Arctic-sea-ice-record-LOW.html
(Assessed: 6th May 2026)