APRIL ICE MELTING? NOT SO FAST

Written By: Scott Hetsko
Source: National Snow and Ice Center

Arctic sea ice extent declined quite slowly in April; as a result, total ice extent is now close to the mean extent for the reference period (1979 to 2000). The thin spring ice cover nevertheless remains vulnerable to summer melt.

It is difficult to assess how the slow decline through April will affect the summer minimum ice extent. Persistence of cool conditions through the summer could lead to a greater September ice extent compared to that of recent years. As this summer unfolds, scientists expect to see high year-to-year variability in ice extent embedded within the long-term decline.

As slow start to the melting season could also have impacts on Summer temperatures in North America...stay tuned!