In February, the global sea ice coverage reached an unprecedented minimum, as reported by the European climate observatory Copernicus. Temperatures were up to 11ºC above average near the North Pole, while the world continues in its persistent heatwave.
The global sea ice, meaning oceanic water that freezes and floats on the surface, reached a record minimum extent of 16.04 million square kilometers on February 7.
It was the third warmest February ever recorded, according to data from the European monitoring service.
Consequences of the reduction of sea ice
The reduction in ice coverage has serious long-term repercussions. On climate, people, and ecosystems, not only in the region but globally.
When highly reflective snow and ice give way to the dark blue ocean, the solar energy that was previously reflected into space is now absorbed by the water. This speeds up the pace of global warming.
The Antarctic sea ice, which at this time of year largely drives the global amount, was 26% below average in February, according to Copernicus.
The European service pointed out that the region likely reached its annual summer minimum towards the end of the month. If confirmed in March, it would be the second lowest minimum in the satellite record.
Its annual minimum was reached on March 1 and matches those recorded in 2022 and 2024, meaning it is the second lowest ever recorded in 47 years of monitoring. This was reported on Thursday by the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC).
In the Arctic, where ice coverage normally grows to reach a maximum winter extent in March, record monthly lows have been recorded since December. Ice coverage in February was 8% below the monthly average.
Impacts of global warming on global sea ice
On a global scale, February was 1.59ºC warmer than pre-industrial times, according to Copernicus, adding that the period from December to February was the second warmest on record.
While temperatures were below average last month in parts of North America, Eastern Europe, and large areas of East Asia, they were warmer than average in northern Chile and Argentina, western Australia, and the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Temperatures were particularly high north of the Arctic Circle, Copernicus added. It had average temperatures 4ºC above the 1991-2020 average for the month, with an area near the North Pole reaching 11ºC above average.
Copernicus reported that the lack of historical data from polar regions makes it difficult to provide precise estimates of warming in comparison to the pre-industrial period.
The oceans, a vital climate regulator and carbon sink, store 90% of the excess heat trapped by the release of greenhouse gases by humanity.
The sea surface temperatures have been exceptionally warm in 2023 and 2024, and Copernicus noted that February readings were the second-highest ever recorded for that month.
Cover photo: Getty Images
*With information from AFP.
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