EventWinter sea ice extent dropped a record 5.8 % from 2024 to 2025 – the steepest decline observed since satellite monitoring began in 1978 – marking the end of the early‑2020s slowdown.
Satellite observations from Scientific Reports and NOAA now show the Arctic winter sea‑ice extent is decreasing again after a two‑year period of relative stability.
The latest data show a 5.8 % decline in winter sea ice extent between 2024 and 2025—the sharpest year‑to‑year loss on record—ending the early‑2020s slowdown of Arctic ice melt.
Arctic winter sea ice extent declined by 5.8% from 2024 to 2025, marking the biggest annual loss recorded by satellite observations.
Arctic winter sea ice fell by a record 5.8% between 2024 and 2025, marking the steepest decline observed since satellite monitoring began in 1978.