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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Information on Sea Ice

Anomalie des Luftdrucks auf Meeresspiegelniveau mit Windvektoren im April 2023 in der Antarktis im Vergleich zum Langzeitmittel 1971-2000.

Antarctic Sea-ice Extent at a Seasonal Low

In the Antarctic, the freezing season is off to a sluggish start, as the unprecedentedly low sea-ice extent for this time of year shows.

SEA ICE PORTAL now offers users a Progressive Web App (PWA)

Faster and easier access to the SEA ICE PORTAL – Install the meereisportal.de app for a better user experience.

30-year airborne survey shows Arctic ice thinning from climate change

For 30 years, AWI's research aircraft measured Arctic sea ice thickness, showing significant reductions from climate change, providing crucial data for science and politics.

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.

Where is the Polarstern?

The AWI’s flagship, RV Polarstern, is constantly underway in the name of science. Here you’ll learn where she is right now.

I’m very pleased that our conference will bring so many of our peers from around the world to Bremerhaven. It’s like a huge ‘class reunion’ with many of our friends. We will review and discuss the outcomes of various projects. The conference will also consider the dramatic sea-ice trends in the Antarctic. We will also tackle the question of whether, and if so, to what extent climate change has reached the Antarctic, which was unaffected for many years.

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