The time has arrived to start taking a close look at the assorted different Arctic sea ice extent metrics, in order to ascertain their respective maxima for 2025. To begin with here’s Zack Labe’s overview of previous years’ maxima:
It now seems highly likely that 2025’s maximum extent will ultimately prove to be the lowest in the satellite era. The remaining question is when this year’s maximum will occur.
My speculation yesterday that AWI’s flavour of Arctic sea ice extent had already achieved its maximum value for 2025 has been negated today:
The NSIDC 5 day average and JAXA extent metrics are also currently at their maximum levels for the year so far, so let’s wait and see which one is the first to take a downward turn.
[Update – March 28th]The National Snow and Ice Data Center have called the maximum extent of Arctic sea ice for 2025:
On March 22, Arctic sea ice likely reached its maximum extent for the year, at 14.33 million square kilometers, the lowest in the 47-year satellite record. This year’s maximum extent is 1.31 million square kilometers below the 1981 to 2010 average maximum of 15.64 million square kilometers and 80,000 square kilometers below the previous lowest maximum that occurred on March 7, 2017.
Continue reading The 2025 Maximum Arctic Sea Ice Extent
