News & Stories
Across the globe, snow and ice play a vital role in regulating Earth’s climate and providing freshwater resources to people, plants, and animals.
As Earth’s frozen regions change rapidly, NSIDC is committed to growing its research and open access data to better understand these changes. Read about NSIDC research and its contribution to science and policy making. Check out spotlights on how to use NSIDC data, tools, and resources. Learn about how we steward data and collaborate with scientists and organizations across the world to understand how the frozen parts of Earth affect the rest of the planet and impact society.
News and stories
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Spotlight
The NSIDC DAAC and NOAA@NSIDC archive and distribute data sets relevant to maritime navigation in the polar regions. Although they are not up-to-the-minute products for operational navigation, they provide climatological data for planning, risk assessments, and feasibility studies.
Analysis - Ice Sheets Today
Beginning October 15, 2025, NSIDC’s Ice Sheets Today services will be reduced because of non-renewed funding.
Analysis - Sea Ice Today
Beginning October 15, 2025, NSIDC’s Sea Ice Today services will be reduced because of non-renewed funding.
News Release
Antarctic sea ice has likely reached its maximum extent for the year, at 17.81 million square kilometers (6.88 million square miles) on September 17, according to scientists at the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder). The 2025 maximum is the third lowest in the 47-year satellite record. The record low maximum occurred in 2023.
Analysis - Sea Ice Today
On September 17, Antarctic sea ice likely reached its annual maximum extent of 17.81 million square kilometers (6.88 million square miles). The 2025 maximum is the third lowest in the 47-year satellite record above 2023 and 2024.
Analysis - Sea Ice Today
On September 10, Arctic sea ice likely reached its annual minimum extent of 4.60 million square kilometers (1.78 million square miles). The 2025 minimum shares the tenth lowest spot in the nearly 47-year satellite record with 2008 and 2010.