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Study finds Arctic melt-season length has recently leveled off
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Satellite record shows a stable average since about 2010 despite continued warming
A NASA-led analysis of satellite observations from 1979 through 2023 found that the Arctic sea-ice melt season is about 40 days longer than in 1979 but has not lengthened further on average since around 2010. Researchers linked the recent pattern partly to cloud changes that reduced incoming sunlight in parts of the Arctic, while thinner ice increased sensitivity to yearly weather. The finding does not mean Arctic warming or ice loss has ended: NASA says the region continues warming rapidly and cautions that the stabilization may be temporary. This briefing covers 2026-09-20T06:23:37.694Z through 2026-09-21T18:23:37.694Z. The timestamp is page publication metadata, not an event time.