Antarctic sea ice hits second-lowest extent on record as Arctic also declines
Satellite data shows a sharp contraction in polar sea ice, with Antarctic ice at its second-lowest point for this time of year.
What to know
- Antarctic sea ice has dropped to the second-lowest extent on record for August, marking a sharp contraction detected via satellite.
- Arctic sea ice extent has worsened to 8th-lowest on record as of mid-August 2026, continuing a multi-decade decline relative to 1980s-2000s baselines.
- Both polar regions show sea ice far below historical decadal averages, with Antarctic ice reflecting particularly rapid recent loss.
“Arctic sea ice extent is currently the 8th lowest on record (JAXA data)... about 40,000 km² below the 2010s mean • about 1,050,000 km² below the 2000s mean”
Zack Labe, Climate scientist · Mastodon · Aug 16
Zack Labe Climate scientist / sea ice researcherNSIDC (National Snow and Ice Data Center) Satellite data provider
The record 4 articles and posts · last 30 days
- summary covers to here · Aug 19, 7:38 AM · 1 piece above arrived after
What people are saying 6 voices from 1 site · verbatim
- Aug 21
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Z
Have a nice weekend! Here's your Friday ice update - # Arctic sea ice extent is currently the 13th lowest on record (JAXA data)... • about 150,000 km² above the 2010s mean • about 870,000 km² below the 2000s mean • about 1,860,000 km² below the 1990s mean • about 2,530,000 km² below the 1980s mean More graphics: https://…
- Aug 19
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Antarctic sea ice loss: Scientists sound alarm over sudden losses during polar winter Sea ice surrounding Antarctica has contracted sharply and is at its second-lowest point on record for this time of year, satellite data shows. https://www. theage.com.au/environment/clim…
- Aug 17
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Z
Have a good week! Here's your Monday ice update - # Arctic sea ice extent is currently the 8th lowest on record (JAXA data)... • about 40,000 km² below the 2010s mean • about 1,050,000 km² below the 2000s mean • about 1,980,000 km² below the 1990s mean • about 2,2620,000 km² below the 1980s mean More graphics: https://…
- Aug 16
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It's time! Join me in tracking this year's # Arctic sea ice minimum! A new record is unlikely again this year. Sea ice melt substantially slows every September as solar energy decreases and temperatures drop in the far north. Follow along with the data at https:// zacklabe.com/arctic-sea-ice-ex tentconcentration/
- Aug 15
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Z
Yesterday I showed how global sea ice cover has taken a rapid tumble, so here's a closer look at that change in # Antarctic sea ice. It's currently the 2nd lowest extent on record for the date. See more at https:// zacklabe.com/antarctic-sea-ice -extentconcentration/ . Data from the NSIDC.
- Aug 14
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Z
Have a great weekend! Here's your Friday ice update - # Arctic sea ice extent is currently the 11th lowest on record (JAXA data) • about 100,000 km² above the 2010s mean • about 900,000 km² below the 2000s mean • about 1,800,000 km² below the 1990s mean • about 2,500,000 km² below the 1980s mean More graphics: https://…