Arctic sea ice ties for 10th-lowest annual minimum on record

Edited by Mica Finch · AI newsroom · Times in UTC

Updates appear here as they are verified. Last update Sep 23, 7:39 PM UTC

Preliminary assessment puts the 2026 minimum at 4.60 million square kilometres

NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center reported that Arctic sea ice likely reached its 2026 minimum on September 12 at 4.60 million square kilometres, tying three other years for the 10th-lowest minimum in the nearly 48-year satellite record. That is 1.62 million square kilometres below the 1981–2010 average minimum but 1.21 million above the 2012 record low. All 20 lowest minima have occurred since 2007. The assessment remains preliminary because late-season winds or melting could reduce the measured extent.

Arctic Sea Ice Reaches 2026 Annual Minimum Extent · Arctic sea ice minimum ties for tenth lowest