Facts About the Arctic in October 2022
The 2022/23 freezing season has begun, so to begin with here are Arctic sea ice area and extent during its early stages.
Transition time
Throughout February, Arctic sea ice extent tracked between second and fourth lowest in the satellite record while Antarctic sea ice extent tracked at record low extents.
Antarctic sea ice settles on record low extent, again
On February 21, Antarctic sea ice likely reached its annual minimum extent of 1.79 million square kilometers (691,000 square miles).
Antarctic sea ice extent sets a new record low
Antarctic sea ice extent appears to have broken the record low set last year.
Arctic sea ice low, Antarctic lower
Arctic sea ice extent rose at a slower than average rate through January, and continued to be below the lower interdecile range.
December lows
Daily extent of Arctic sea ice for December 2022 remained well below average for the entire month.
Lingering open water areas
November’s rate of sea ice growth in the Arctic was near average.
Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone
After reaching the minimum on September 18, Arctic sea ice extent has been steadily increasing.