Declining Arctic Sea Ice

Arctic Sea Ice extent © Steve Brown

The average February 2025 Arctic sea ice extent was 13.75 million km², the lowest February extent in the 47-year satellite record and 220,000 km² below the previous record low set in 2018.

In February 2025, the monthly Arctic sea ice extent reached a record low for the time of year for the third consecutive month, following record lows in December and January.

The average extent in February 2025 was 13.7 million km², the lowest value for the month in the 47-year satellite data record, 0.8 million km² (or about 8%) below the 1991-2020 average for February. The previous lowest February extent was in 2018 (-6%) and was followed by several years with relatively small negative anomalies. It is important to note that this record low for February is not an all-time minimum. Arctic sea ice extent is currently approaching its annual maximum, which typically occurs in March, and remains significantly higher than the levels observed the rest of the year. All-time record minima in the Arctic have always occurred in September, the month when sea ice extent reaches its annual minimum.

Quick Link:

• Link to Copernicus satellite data

This article has been provided by the courtesy of the Ocean Cruising Club.