Monitoring Global Temperature and Precipitation in September 2026(opens in a new tab)
The Arctic recorded the warmest September on record and experienced its 13th‑lowest sea‑ice extent, falling 300,000 sq mi below average.
Event
Arctic Sea Ice Reaches 13th‑Lowest Extent in September 2026
NOAA’s climate report on September 2026 shows the Arctic’s sea‑ice extent at its 13th‑lowest level on record, falling roughly 300,000 square miles (about 777 000 km²) below the 1991‑2020 average. This aligns with satellite observations indicating a continued decline in summer ice cover.
Coverage
News National Snow and Ice Data Center "Stranger Things" in the 2026 Arctic(opens in a new tab)
September 2026 saw the 13th lowest Arctic sea ice extent on record, with a minimum tied for tenth lowest, driven by persistent cool, stormy conditions that slowed melt and created a loose ice pack enabling the Swedish icebreaker Oden to reach the North Pole.
NASA Science Arctic Sea Ice Shrinks to Its 2026 Minimum(opens in a new tab)
Sea ice extent in the Arctic reached a minimum of 4.6 million km² on September 12 2026—tied for the 10th‑lowest on record—while the March maximum also tied a record low, reflecting a continued decline in multiyear ice driven by warming temperatures.
