EventNASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center report that Arctic sea ice likely reached its yearly minimum extent of 4.60 million km² (1.78 million square miles) on September 12, 2026. The extent is tied for the tenth‑lowest value in the satellite record, matching 2008, 2010 and 2025.
Arctic sea ice likely reached a minimum extent of 4.60 million km² on Sept. 12, 2026, tying for the tenth‑lowest extent in satellite records, with the last two decades showing the lowest 20 minima.
NSIDC indicates that the 2026 Arctic sea ice minimum was 4.60 million sq km on Sept. 12, tied for 10th lowest, with ice now thinner and more vulnerable to breakup.
Arctic sea ice fell to its lowest yearly extent on Sept. 12, 2026, covering 1.78 million sq mi—making it the 10th‑lowest in satellite records, tied with 2008, 2010, and 2025.
Arctic sea ice reached its lowest extent on Sept. 12, 2026, covering 1.78 million square miles, tying 2008, 2010, and 2025 for the 10th‑lowest minimum in satellite history.
NASA and NSIDC measured the 2026 Arctic sea ice minimum extent as 1.78 million sq miles (4.60 million sq km) reached on September 12.
Arctic sea ice likely hit its minimum extent on Sept. 12, 2026 at 4.60 million km², tied for the tenth lowest in satellite history, while the trend since 2007 remains flat though all recent minima are below those of 1979‑2006.
The shrinking Arctic Sea Ice - Foresight Brief
Arctic sea ice extent hit 4.60 million km² on September 12, 2026—the 10th lowest in the satellite record; Antarctic sea ice likely reached a maximum of 17.59 million km² on September 14, the third lowest on record, per NSIDC.
The preliminary minimum sea ice extent for the Arctic in 2026 was 4.60 million square kilometers, highlighting ongoing loss.
