Antarctic sea ice maximum hits third lowest on record

NASA and the US National Snow and Ice Data Center reported that Antarctic sea ice reached its annual maximum of about 17.59 million square kilometers on September 14, 2026. That’s the third smallest winter ice area since satellite records began in the late 1970s. The decline follows a period of growing or stable coverage that lasted until around 2014, after which sea ice levels around the continent have been generally lower.

• Sea ice peaked September 14, covering 17.59 million km²
• Third lowest maximum in the satellite record
• Area measured via satellite microwave sensors
• Coverage has stayed lower since 2016 downturn
• Record lows for both maximum and minimum in 2023