Each year in March, Arctic sea ice reaches its maximum coverage and then begins a six-month melt season. The U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center stated that the maximum range measured on the 22nd of this month was 14.33 million square kilometers. The data shows that this is 1.31 million square kilometers smaller than the average high from 1981 to 2010 and 800,000 square kilometers smaller than the lowest recorded in 2017.
Scientists warn that although sea ice extent shrinks throughout the year, the most important season for the overall health of the Arctic ice sheet is summer. Thin ice in winter melts faster in summer, which may form a vicious cycle: ice-free seas absorb more heat, resulting in continued weakening of sea ice recovery capabilities in autumn and winter. In addition, the melting of Arctic sea ice will lead to a sharp decline in the number of polar bears and their physical weakness.
Scientists say the Arctic is warming four times faster than the rest of the world, and this warming will affect weather elsewhere. The air pressure and temperature difference between the north and the south has narrowed, weakening the jet stream that drives the weather system to move deeper into the south, leading to more frequent cold waves and storms, and more rain and snow.
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