Arctic winter sea ice ties the satellite-era record low.

On March 15, 2026, Arctic winter sea ice peaked at 5.52 million square miles, matching 2025 as the lowest maximum since satellite records began; researchers report thinner ice and a peak below the 1981–2010 average.

Arctic sea ice reached its annual maximum on March 15, 2026, at 5.52 million square miles (14.29 million square kilometers). Scientists at NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center say this peak matches the 2025 maximum and is statistically tied as the lowest since satellite monitoring began in 1979. Measurements from NASA's ICESat-2 indicate much of the ice is thinner this year, and the peak extent was below the 1981–2010 average by roughly 0.5 million square miles (about 1.3 million square kilometers). Antarctic sea ice was also reported: the 2026 summer minimum was 996,000 square miles (2.58 million square kilometers), higher than the 2023 record low. Key facts: - On March 15, 2026, Arctic sea ice extent peaked at 5.52 million square miles (14.29 million km2). - The 2026 peak matches the 2025 peak and is reported as statistically tied for the lowest maximum since 1979 satellite records began. - NASA ICESat-2 observations show much of the Arctic ice was thinner this year, with notable thinning in the Barents Sea. - The 2026 Arctic peak was about 0.5 million square miles (1.3 million km2) below the 1981–2010 average; the Antarctic minimum for 2026 was 996,000 square miles on Feb. 26. Summary: The reported tie for the lowest winter maximum continues the long-term downward trend in Arctic sea ice extent observed since 1979. Undetermined at this time.