The total area of the Arctic Ocean that was at least 15% ice covered each September (summer minimum) from 1979–2024. The last 18 September extents (2007-2024) are the 18 lowest on record. Data from the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC).
Sea ice concentration for September 2024, compared to the 1981-2010 average extent for that month (gold line). It was the sixth smallest summer minimum on record. NOAA Climate.gov image, based on data from the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC).