Antarctic sea ice hits alarming low in 2026
Antarctic sea ice reached its smallest maximum extent since satellite monitoring began in late 1978, according to NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center. On September 14, 2026, ice covered an estimated 17.59 million square kilometers (6.79 million square miles), marking the third-lowest maximum extent recorded. This stark contrast to the Arctic, where sea ice has been declining sharply, highlights significant differences in ice dynamics between the two regions.
While Antarctic sea ice typically peaks in September, its coverage has been below average in recent years, with 2023 marking its lowest annual minimum and lowest maximum extents. Scientists continue to monitor these changes, employing satellites equipped with passive microwave sensors to distinguish sea ice from open water, even under cloudy conditions.
These observations, beginning in 1978, provide crucial data for understanding the evolving state of Antarctic sea ice.
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