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At the beginning of September JAXA/ViSHOP extent was 4th lowest for the date in the satellite era:
For much more detail on sea ice extent for the next few weeks please see the dedicated 2024 minimum thread. However, note that as extent has been flatlining sea ice area is still declining:
The latest AMSR2 sea ice concentration map from the Alfred Wegener Institute reveals that the area of thick ice in the Chukchi Sea has still not melted:
The most recent sea ice age map currently available dates from the beginning of August. Comparison with the concentration map shows that most of the remaining first year ice is highly fragmented, even close to the North Pole:
The central Arctic is currently still dominated by low pressure, but the GFS forecast suggests that high pressure will build over the next few days:
As the 2024 minimum extent approaches there will be a race between refreezing in the centre versus continued melting at the periphery. The advent of high pressure may also result in compaction of remaining low concentration areas. Which of these processes will emerge victorious?
Watch this space!
