Sea Ice Extent

August's Northern Hemisphere
Sea Ice Extent plot

The Northern Hemisphere sea ice extent, which is measured from passive microwave instruments onboard NOAA satellites, averaged was 5.03 million square km (1.94 million square miles) for August 2019. This was 2.17 million sq km (838,000 square miles), or 30.1%, below the 1981–2010 average. In other words, sea ice the size of Greenland melted during August 2019, resulting in the second smallest August sea ice extent in the 41-year record. August 2012 sea ice extent was smaller at 4.72 million square km (1.82 million square miles). According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), Arctic sea ice extent was at record low levels in July and August, however, after mid-August ice melt slowed considerably. August 2019 marks the 18th consecutive August with the Arctic sea ice extent below average. August 2001 was the last time the Arctic sea ice extent was above average.

August's Southern Hemisphere
Sea Ice Extent plot

For a third consecutive August, the Antarctic sea ice extent was below average at 17.40 million square km (6.72 million square miles), which is 320,000 square km (120,000 square miles) or 1.8% below average. This was the fifth smallest August sea ice extent on record. The record low August sea ice extent of 720,000 square km (280,000 square miles) or 4.1% below average took place in 1986. According to NSIDC, the Antarctic sea ice has expanded faster than normal since July 2019.

For further information on the Northern and Southern Hemisphere snow and ice conditions, please visit the NSIDC News page.