Arctic sea ice 2nd lowest on record

NASA says that on Sept. 18, Arctic sea ice reached the second lowest area on record after a summer with temperatures about 7 to 9 degrees above average.

Satellites measured sea ice at 4.15 million square kilometers, or 1.60 million square miles, which actually tied the second lowest on record also set in 2016 and 2007.

While temperatures are now expected to fall below freezing and sea ice could start reforming, the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) says that there is a chance that shifting wind patterns or a late-season melt could reduce sea ice extent even further.

NSIDC says that the record minimum occurred in 2012, but all 13 of the lowest sea ice areas have occurred in the last 13 years.