Arctic sea ice extent at record low levels

After reaching the second-lowest extent on record in November 2025, sea ice extent in the Arctic remained unusually low into December. Data from the EUMETSAT Ocean and Sea Ice Satellite Application Facility (OSI SAF) show that, at the beginning of December 2025, Arctic sea ice extent was the lowest observed for this time of year. On 17 December, the extent was estimated at around 11.4 million square kilometres, still significantly below the long-term average.  

This image, produced with data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), shows the Arctic sea ice extent on 17 December 2025 in light blue. The red line indicates the average sea ice extent in December for 1991–2020, clearly illustrating the current lack of sea ice in the areas around eastern Svalbard and in the north-eastern Canadian sector, including Baffin Bay and northern Hudson Bay. 

Reliable satellite monitoring is essential for tracking sea ice on a global scale. The long-term data records delivered by C3S allow scientists to identify trends, calculate anomalies, and assess the impacts of climate change on polar environments, providing a robust scientific basis for climate research and informed decision-making.