Friday, March 4, 2011

Weather image of the day: Arctic sea ice record low

feb-sea-ice.gif
February sea ice extent from 1979 to present. Source National Snow and Ice Data Center.



February 2011 tied February 2005 for the lowest [Arctic] ice extent for the month in the satellite record [since 1979]. Including 2011, the February trend is now at -3.0 percent per decade.
Other statements from NSIDC:
* February ice extent remained below normal in both the Atlantic and Pacific sectors, particularly in the Labrador Sea and the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
* While ice extent has declined less in winter months than in summer, the downward winter trend is clear.
* Air temperatures over most of the Arctic Ocean in February were between 2 and 4 degrees Celsius (4 and 7 degrees Fahrenheit) higher than normal. 

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