The meltdown extends beyond the Arctic. Antarctica recently flirted with a record low in its own annual sea ice minimum – this while the Arctic hits an unprecedented winter low. As a result, Meier notes that global sea ice coverage in February dropped to a record minimum, signifying a broader, planet-wide shift.

News Weather Winter sea ice in the Arctic just hit a record low March 28, 2025 Updated Fri., March 28, 2025 at 6:53 p.m. A polar bear swims in icy water near Svalbard, Norway, at the convergence ...

Several researchers the Barents Observer spoke with underline that sea ice extent has already changed dramatically. Just a few decades ago, both the Amundsen and Nansen basins of the Arctic Ocean were covered by several years old ice up to 4 metres thick.