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Arctic Sea ice reaches 4th lowest minimum since 1981

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The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) posted a story today on the minimum extent of Arctic Sea ice this year.  Records have been kept since 1981 (based on satellite measurements of ice cover) and show that now that fall is upon us, the ice is starting to expand as the North Pole gets darker and colder.

The minimum amount measured this year is the 4th lowest value measured.  You can read the complete story at https://nsidc.org/arcticseaicenews/.  All of the ten lowest annual values of minimum sea ice have occurred since 2005.

The lack of sea ice in the Arctic impacts global climate by allowing more of the sun’s heat to enter the Arctic Ocean instead of being reflected back to space from white snow on the ice.  This increase in heat and lack of snow cover is believed to impact the long-wave weather patterns that can steer weather patterns to different regions in North America.

Arctic sea ice extent for September 11, 2015, was 4.41 million square kilometers (1.70 million square miles). The orange line shows the 1981 to 2010 average extent for the day. The black cross indicates the geographic North Pole. Source: NSIDC.
Arctic sea ice extent for September 11, 2015, was 4.41 million square kilometers (1.70 million square miles). The orange line shows the 1981 to 2010 average extent for the day. The black cross indicates the geographic North Pole. Source: NSIDC.
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