Sea Ice: Antarctic Sets New Record, Arctic Flatlines

Sea ice extent in Antarctica last month set a new record high for the month of April while Arctic sea ice extent in April was essentially the same as it was a decade ago.

Data from the US National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) shows average sea ice extent around Antarctica reached 9.1 million sq. km. in April, some 23 per cent above the long-term average for the period from 1981 to 2010 of 7.4 million sq.km. April sea ice extent in Antarctica is growing at a rate of 4.1 per cent per decade, according to NSIDC data.

Meanwhile Arctic sea ice extent in April was 14.0 million sq. km, some 5 per cent below the long-term average for the period from 1981 to 2010 of 14.8 million sq. km. but broadly in line with the sea ice extent reported a decade ago.

Over the last ten years, the extent of Arctic sea ice in April has remained within the range 13.9 million to 14.7 million sq. km. notwithstanding the fact that the linear rate of decline in sea ice extent for April through 2015 over the satellite record is 2.4 per cent per decade and that April sea ice extent has now declined for four years in a row.

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