Western Arctic Ice Just Hit A 13-Year High — And It’s Beating The 1980s

Highest sea ice extent level in 13 years… Higher than the 1980s average!

The analysis by the Canada Ice Service (chart below) shows that on July 6, 2026, sea ice extent in the Western Arctic, including the Northwest Passage, reached approximately 1.29 million km². [some emphasis, links added]

That’s higher than the average of the 1980s.

This marks the second-largest extent of this century (since 2001) and the fourth-largest since measurements began in 1981. (Above)

Below: The ice cover (right) consists of thick first-year ice (>15 cm, dark green) and old ice (>15 cm, dark brown)—source: Canada Ice Service Sea Ice Extent in the Western Arctic with additions.

Hat-tip: Snowfan

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