1 August 2012 - Arctic Sea Ice Extent Lowest In 34-Year Satellite Data Record

[hatrack]

On Aug. 1, Arctic sea ice extent was just below levels recorded for the same date in 2007, the year that saw the record minimum ice extent in September, the Colorado-based National Snow and Ice Data Centre said Aug. 6.

While ice continues to block sections of the both the Northern Sea Route and the Northwest Passage, the ice extent recorded for Aug. 1 of 6.53 million square kilometres is the lowest in the 34-year-long satellite record, the NSIDC said.

The previous record for the same date was set at 6.64 million sq. km. in September 2007. This means September 2012’s Arctic sea ice extent is set to break that previous low record.

Arctic sea ice extent has been lower that average since the beginning of the melt season. For July 2012, sea ice extent averaged 7.94 million sq. km.: this was 2.12 million sq. km. below the 1979 to 2000 average extent and barely 20,000 sq. km. above the 2011 record July low. As throughout the summer, the low ice extent for the Arctic as a whole is primarily due to extensive open water on the Atlantic side of the Arctic (Kara, Laptev and East Siberian seas) and the Beaufort Sea, the NSIDC said.

EDIT

http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674august_arctic_sea_ice_extent_a_record-breaker_data_center/

[RobertEarl]

1. Yep. Not much ice left.