Brief
NASA satellites record Arctic sea ice at 4.6 million km², tying 10th‑lowest minimum
NASA and the NSIDC report that the September 2026 Arctic sea‑ice minimum ties the 10th‑lowest extent on record, amid ongoing thinning and loss of multiyear ice.
By Felo News Desk · Published
NASA satellite observations and the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) recorded the Arctic sea‑ice extent at about 4.6 million square kilometres (1.78 million square miles) on 12 September 2026, tying the minimums of 2008, 2010 and 2025 and ranking as the 10th‑lowest September extent since satellite monitoring began in 1978.
What happened
The seasonal ice cover, which normally peaks in March and retreats to its smallest size in September, has been shrinking for nearly five decades. The 2026 minimum reflects a continued downward trend, although the rate of decline has slowed in the past decade. Each summer from 2007 through 2026 falls among the 20 lowest September extents recorded, with the record low set in September 2012.
What the reports add
Scitechdaily notes that the recent stabilization of September extents is linked to increased cloud cover, which reduces solar radiation reaching the ice and limits further melt, according to NASA researchers. The article also highlights that the ice is not only covering less area but also becoming younger and thinner, with a marked reduction in multiyear ice that survives multiple melt seasons.
What was said
NASA and the NSIDC are quoted as providing the 4.6 million km² figure and noting its tie with previous low‑extent years. The outlet reports that NASA scientists attribute the recent leveling‑off to weather variations, especially cloud cover, rather than a reversal of the long‑term warming trend.
How it came about
Continuous satellite monitoring since late 1978 has documented the Arctic’s ice decline, a trend that accelerated during the 2000s. Earlier Felo coverage (NASA study finds Arctic melt season length stabilised since 2010) reported that the melt season has been about 40 days longer than in 1979, with the increase driven mainly by later fall freeze‑up. The current data extend that narrative, showing that while the melt‑season length has steadied, the ice itself is becoming thinner and younger, raising concerns about future summer extents.
Key facts
- Arctic sea ice covered about 4.6 million km² on 12 Sept 2026, tying the 10th‑lowest September minimum on record. (scitechdaily.com)
- The 2026 minimum matches the lows recorded in 2008, 2010 and 2025. (scitechdaily.com)
- NASA researchers say increased cloud cover has helped limit further melt in recent years. (scitechdaily.com)
- Every summer from 2007‑2026 ranks among the 20 lowest September extents, with the record low in 2012. (scitechdaily.com)
- Multiyear ice, which is thicker and more resilient, has been substantially reduced, making the remaining ice younger and thinner. (scitechdaily.com)
Sources
- [1] scitechdaily.com — originally reported as “NASA Satellites Reveal a Troubling New Reality in the Arctic”
