Arctic sea ice hits its annual minimum of 4.6 million square kilometres, tying for tenth lowest on record
7 October 2026
NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) report that Arctic sea ice reached its 2026 annual minimum on September 12, 2026.
The ice covered an estimated 4.6 million square kilometers (1.78 million square miles) at that point.
The 2026 minimum ties 2008, 2010 and 2025 for the 10th-lowest minimum in the satellite record.
Each of the past 20 summers, from 2007 through 2026, ranks among the 20 lowest minimum extents in the satellite record.
The lowest minimum of all occurred in September 2012.
The March 2026 maximum ice extent tied the 2025 maximum for the lowest in the satellite record.
The analysis was written by Michala Garrison for the NASA Earth Observatory.
In plain words
NSIDC National Snow and Ice Data Center — The United States centre that archives and reports snow and ice data, including daily sea ice extent.
Sea ice extent Sea ice extent — The total area of ocean where sea ice cover crosses a set threshold, used to compare years.