Antarctic sea ice reaches third-lowest winter maximum in satellite record
In one minute
NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center say Antarctic sea ice likely peaked at 17.59 million square kilometres on 14 September 2026, the third-lowest winter maximum in the satellite record.
Key takeaways
- Antarctic sea ice likely reached its 2026 annual maximum on 14 September.
- The estimated extent was 17.59 million square kilometres.
- If confirmed, it is the third-lowest annual maximum in the satellite record.
What happened
NASA Earth Observatory published an update on 12 October based on data from NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center. NSIDC's analysis places the likely peak at 17.59 million square kilometres. Scientists caution that fluctuations near the seasonal maximum can delay a final determination of the exact peak date.
Why it matters
Winter sea ice is one indicator of conditions in the Southern Ocean. A single year's ranking does not explain every cause, but repeated low years make long-term monitoring important. Antarctic sea ice and land ice are different: floating sea ice extent is not the same measure as the mass of the ice sheet.
What to watch
Watch for NSIDC's final seasonal assessment and analysis of winds, ocean temperatures and long-term trends. The ranking remains conditional on confirmation of the peak.
Sources
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