The graph [after the jump] shows the annual minimum September monthly average sea ice extent in NH from 2007 through 2019 according to two different data sets: Sea Ice Index (SII) from NOAA and Multisensor Analyzed Sea Ice Extent (MASIE) from NIC.
The chart begins with 2007 ending a decadal decline and beginning 12 years of fluctuations around a plateau. SII and MASIE give quite similar results for September, with SII slightly higher early on, and also showing more ice this year.
The linear trendlines are flat for both indices with 2019 being similar to 2007.
MASIE daily results for September show 2019 early melting followed by an early stabilizing and refreezing.
Note that 2019 started the month about 800k km2 below the 12-year average (2007 through 2018 inclusive). There was little additional loss of ice, a rise then a dip below 4 M km2, and a sharp rise ending the month.
Interestingly, 2019 matched the lowest year, 2012, at the start but ended the month well ahead of both 2012 and 2007.
Presently 2019 ice extent according to MASIE is 500k km2 (10%) below the 12-year average and 374k km2 more than 2007.
Most of the deficit to average is in East Siberian and Laptev seas, along with the Pacific seas of Beaufort and Chukchi. Other places are close to normal, with Central Arctic higher than average and much greater than in 2007.
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We need to remember that the polar bear issue was started by a man writing a paper who had spotted three dead polar bears while flying at 1,500 feet. You can’t determine anything from that distance but so typical of people supporting climate alarmism he inserted an assumption that the three bears died as a result of climate change. Since that time polar numbers have increased. We all need to remember that polar bears, the Great Barrier Reef, and all other species are here today because they have survived much warmer climate in the Earth’s past.
I am so pleased Susan Crockford has provided her expertise on the status of polar bears .
The biggest threat to polar bears is humans on ski -do’s shooting them .