JAXA have updated their visualisations of Arctic sea ice extent data. The “traditional” 2 day average graph is now labelled “preliminary”, and currently shows 2026 in a tie with 2020 for third lowest for the date:

5 day averaged “confirmed” data is also available, including regional graphs. By way of example here’s JAXA’s latest extent graph for the Bering Sea, dated May 15th:

The Alfred Wegener Institute’s sea ice concentration data reveals open water in the Beaufort, Chukchi, East Siberian and Laptev Seas:

In the eastern Beaufort Sea albedo is further reduced by the waters of the Mackenzie River encroaching upon the fast ice off the river delta:

The monthly summary of atmospheric conditions over the Arctic during April 2026 reveal part of the reason for the open water. A persistent area of high pressure over the Beaufort Sea:

The NSIDC monthly average extent graph for April shows 2026 second lowest behind 2019:

Watch this space!