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Latest Sea-ice Data

Sea-ice concentration, updated daily

Sea-ice concentration, updated daily

The sea-ice concentration map shows the amount of sea-ice cover as a percentage.

An ice concentration of 100% indicates a seamless sheet of sea ice. Ice concentrations of less than 15% are considered to be ice-free.

The green line is a climatological reference value and shows the monthly mean sea-ice extent for the years 1981 – 2010. The sea-ice extent is the sum of all ice-covered regions (i.e., all regions with an ice concentration of at least 15%) and is measured in millions of square kilometres.

Data provided by the University of Bremen’s Institute of Environmental Physics (IUP) in collaboration with the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI). You can find further information on the base data and additional maps at our data portal.

More sea-ice maps

Sea-ice extent, annual cycle

Sea-ice extent, annual cycle

The annual cycle of the sea-ice extent describes the total ice-covered area in the Arctic or Antarctic in millions of square kilometres, using the data from the current year (blue line) in comparison to past years. The sea-ice extent is the sum of all ice-covered regions with an ice concentration of at least 15%.

For the sake of comparison, the respective previous year and the year with the lowest summer sea-ice extent to date (2012) are shown, together with the climatological mean value for the years 1981 – 2010 (green line) and the span of the minimum / maximum values (green lines) during this period.

Data provided by the University of Bremen’s Institute of Environmental Physics (IUP) in collaboration with the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI). You can find further information on the base data and additional maps at our data portal.

More annual cycles

The last month compared to past years

The last month compared to past years

Since 1979, the extent of the polar sea ice has been continually monitored using satellites. The graphic shows the respective monthly mean values for the ice extent in the years 1979 to the present. Here, long-term trends in the sea-ice cover of both the Arctic and Antarctic can be seen. As such, the development of the mean monthly sea-ice extent is an indicator for the effects of climate change in the polar regions, while also offering insights into the interannual variability of the sea-ice cover.

Data provided by the University of Bremen’s Institute of Environmental Physics (IUP) in collaboration with the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI). You can find further information on the base data and additional maps at our data portal.

More sea-ice trends

Sea-ice concentration, updated daily

Sea-ice concentration, updated daily

The sea-ice concentration map shows the amount of sea-ice cover as a percentage.

An ice concentration of 100% indicates a seamless sheet of sea ice. Ice concentrations of less than 15% are considered to be ice-free.

The green line is a climatological reference value and shows the monthly mean sea-ice extent for the years 1981 – 2010. The sea-ice extent is the sum of all ice-covered regions (i.e., all regions with an ice concentration of at least 15%) and is measured in millions of square kilometres.

Data provided by the University of Bremen’s Institute of Environmental Physics (IUP) in collaboration with the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI). You can find further information on the base data and additional maps at our data portal.

More sea-ice maps

Sea-ice extent, annual cycle

Sea-ice extent, annual cycle

The annual cycle of the sea-ice extent describes the total ice-covered area in the Arctic or Antarctic in millions of square kilometres, using the data from the current year (blue line) in comparison to past years. The sea-ice extent is the sum of all ice-covered regions with an ice concentration of at least 15%.

For the sake of comparison, the respective previous year and the year with the lowest summer sea ice extent to date are shown, which coincide for the year 2022. Hence, only one comparison curve is shown. In addition, the climatological mean value for the years 1981 – 2010 (green line) and the span of the minimum / maximum values (green lines) during this period.

Data provided by the University of Bremen’s Institute of Environmental Physics (IUP) in collaboration with the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI). You can find further information on the base data and additional maps at our data portal.

More annual cycles

The last month compared to past years

The last month compared to past years

Since 1979, the extent of the polar sea ice has been continually monitored using satellites. The graphic shows the respective monthly mean values for the ice extent in the years 1979 to the present. Here, long-term trends in the sea-ice cover of both the Arctic and Antarctic can be seen. As such, the development of the mean monthly sea-ice extent is an indicator for the effects of climate change in the polar regions, while also offering insights into the interannual variability of the sea-ice cover.

Data provided by the University of Bremen’s Institute of Environmental Physics (IUP) in collaboration with the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI). You can find further information on the base data and additional maps at our data portal.

More sea-ice trends
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NEWS

Monthly report

Like a pie with two different halves

In August, the Arctic sea-ice cover was characterised by contrasts: while the pack ice in the western half was extremely compact, the eastern half was composed of individual, widely scattered floes.

The drift has begun

After its journey through the sea ice, Tara Polar Station has now begun its drift through the Arctic Ocean, moored to a previously selected ice floe. The favourable ice conditions made the northbound voyage significantly easier. Since arriving at their destination, the team has been busy comprehensively scouting and surveying the station’s surroundings, while simultaneously starting to set up the research camp (“ice camp”).

To all news

Where is RV Polarstern?

The AWI’s flagship, RV Polarstern, is constantly underway in the name of science.

© Alfred-Wegener-Institut / Evgenii Salganik

What is Sea Ice?

Sea Ice for Beginners

You’re interested in sea ice and are looking for an overview? Then you’ve come to the right place! We’ll explain the most important basics. Where does sea ice come from? Where can it be found? And what part does it play in the Earth system?

Learn More

You’ve had your first taste and want to learn even more? Here you’ll find extensive and focused texts that go into more depth. You’ll learn more about sea-ice physics, sea-ice modelling, measuring methods and the diversity of life on and within sea ice.

„

This is the first time that we’ve seen such a clear split in Arctic sea-ice concentration. At the end of the month, it would have been theoretically possible to sail from Svalbard toward the Bering Strait via the North Pole without becoming trapped in thick pack ice along the way.

" AWI sea-ice researcher Lena Buth on the current sea-ice situation in the Arctic
Figure 2: AWI sea-ice physicist Lena Buth and her colleague Thomas Krumpen investigated the causes of the pronounced “split” in the Arctic sea-ice cover. Photo: Dr. Janna Rückert, University of Bremen
© Photo: Dr. Janna Rückert, University of Bremen
„

We’re pleased that we can now set up the ice camp and can finally start the painstakingly prepared research programmes. This is where the expedition’s actual scientific work begins.

" AWI atmospheric chemist Dr Julia Regnery, part of the scientific team overwintering on Tara Polar Station
Dr Julia Regnery, an atmospheric chemist at the AWI, who serves on board as an engineer for the atmospheric and sea ice programme this winter
© Dr Julia Regnery/AWI

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Tara Polar Station
Accompany Tara Polar Station on its drift through the ice of the Arctic Ocean. Find out here what’s going on throughout the drift – on board and on the ice!

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