Jump to content Jump to footer
Install App

Install this app on your device for a better experience.

Home

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.

background image

Information on Sea Ice

New on the SEA ICE PORTAL: create your own animations!

Interested in making your own animations of the sea-ice concentration in the Arctic and Antarctic? For a period of your choosing? And in various resolutions and speeds? Now you can, thanks to our new tool “Create your own animations”.

Seasonal maximum sea-ice extent in the Arctic and minimum in the Antarctic reached

In 2024, the sea-ice minimum in the Antarctic is similarly low to last year. Meanwhile, the sea-ice cover in the Arctic has reached its maximum, which clearly surpasses the long-term trend.

Year-end sea-ice conditions in the Arctic and Antarctic

While the Arctic sea ice is growing steadily, in the Antarctic, the sea ice is at a record low for the season.

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.

Portrait Dr Renate Treffeisen

With the new option of quickly and easily creating animations for any given period, we’ve added an important and unique component to the information portal. At the same time, by improving the navigation in the ‘Maps & Graphics’ section, we have responded to feedback from our users. As a result, the diverse products available in the ‘Maps & Graphics’ section can now be quickly and easily found

meereisportal.de

SITE CREATED BY