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Antarctica’s winter sea ice hits third-lowest record

By Drooid · Sep 30, 2026, 6:11 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Scientists reported Antarctica’s winter sea ice peaked at 17.59 million sq km on 14 September, the third-lowest on record.
The extent was about one million sq km below the long-term average, roughly twice Spain’s area.
El Niño-driven winds likely reduced ice in the Amundsen Sea, said Dr Phil Reid of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.
Scientists warned that reduced ice allows the Southern Ocean to absorb more heat, threatening ice shelves and emperor penguins.

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Story summary

Scientists reported Antarctica’s winter sea ice peaked at 17.59 million sq km on 14 September, the third-lowest on record.
The extent was about one million sq km below the long-term average, roughly twice Spain’s area.
El Niño-driven winds likely reduced ice in the Amundsen Sea, said Dr Phil Reid of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.
Scientists warned that reduced ice allows the Southern Ocean to absorb more heat, threatening ice shelves and emperor penguins.