Arctic Sea Ice Reaches Record-Low Winter Maximum in 2025

Global sea ice extent also hit an all-time low in February, reflecting accelerating climate change impacts on polar regions.

Arctic sea ice peaked at 14.33 million square kilometers on March 22, 2025, the lowest winter maximum extent in the 47-year satellite record.
This year's Arctic maximum was 80,000 square kilometers smaller than the previous record low set in 2017, continuing a decades-long decline.
Global sea ice extent, combining Arctic and Antarctic regions, reached its lowest level ever recorded in February 2025, underscoring the planet-wide impact of warming temperatures.
The Arctic is warming four times faster than the global average, weakening the jet stream and contributing to more extreme weather events worldwide.
The loss of sea ice threatens ecosystems, including polar bears and seals, and accelerates global warming by reducing the Earth's ability to reflect solar radiation.