The latest report from the NSIDC on Artic sea ice is out, and states:
Record ice loss in August
Following a record rate of ice loss through the month of August, Arctic sea ice extent already stands as the second-lowest on record, further reinforcing conclusions that the Arctic sea ice cover is in a long-term state of decline. With approximately two weeks left in the melt season, the possibility of setting a new record annual minimum in September remains open.
Extent is now within 370,000 square kilometers (140,000 square miles) of last year’s value on the same date and is 2.08 million square kilometers (800,000 square miles) below the 1979 to 2000 average.
Now, if you are into global warming denial, you might decide that it’s time to stop talking about Artctic sea ice and start calling Al Gore fat. For instance, on September 2, Anthony Watts posted that the “Arctic sea ice melt season appears to be over” but then he dropped that post down the memory hole.
Arctic Sees Massive Gain in Ice Coverage
Data from the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) has indicated a dramatic increase in sea ice extent in the Arctic regions. The growth over the past year covers an area of 700,000 square kilometers: an amount twice the size the nation of Germany.
With the Arctic melting season over for 2008, ice cover will continue to increase until melting begins anew next spring.