Arctic winter sea ice returns to significant decline, ending the temporary slowdown

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Arctic winter sea ice has returned to a significant decline after a temporary slowdown in the early 2020s, reaching record lows in 2025 and early 2026. The trend was analyzed by the University of Southampton and the National Oceanography Center using satellite observations.

New analysis shows that a "pause" in Arctic winter sea ice decline seen in the early 2020s has ended following record lows in 2025 and early 2026. The study, led by the University of Southampton in collaboration with the National Oceanography Center (NOC), adds the most recent satellite observations to sea ice coverage trends during the winter growth and peak phases of the Arctic sea ice cycle.