With the 2026 minimum extent rapidly approaching, JAXA/ViSHOP extent is currently 12th lowest for the date in the satellite era:

Despite the falling air temperatures, the AWI concentration map is still showing plenty of open water near the North Pole:

Note also the recent increase in the area of old ice heading for oblivion via the Fram Strait:

Atmospheric conditions over the Arctic in August were once again dominated by low pressure over the Central Arctic Basin, this time offset from the Pole towards Siberia. Temperatures at the 925 hPa pressure level were anomalously high across most of the Arctic, in particular over the Kara Sea and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago:

The NSIDC monthly average extent graph for August shows 2026 well above the linear trend line, and 10th lowest overall:

Watch this space!