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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Analysis - Sea Ice Today
In August, sea ice rapidly melted and compacted north of Alaska in the Beaufort Sea, initiated by a warm pulse of air from east Siberia that was sustained by persistent winds from the southwest. However, the overall pace of decline for the month was near average. Antarctic sea ice climbed in August but remained well below average, ending at third lowest extent.
Spotlight
In Boulder, scientists and first-time gamers explore an immersive new way to see climate data.
Spotlight
Beyond snow and ice data, the NASA NSIDC Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC) archives and distributes soil moisture data sets that directly support American agriculture.
Spotlight
A statement from the National Snow and Ice Data Center and the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder
Analysis - Ice Sheets Today
A strong and persistent melt event occurred in southern Greenland in mid-August 2025, preceded by extensive rain in the same area. Snow cover following the rain events covered the lower elevation bare ice areas along the western side, brightening the surface again.
Analysis - Sea Ice Today
At the end of July 2025, daily sea ice extent in both hemispheres ranked third lowest in the 47-year satellite record. For most of the month, Arctic sea ice extent tracked close to levels recorded for 2012, the record-low-September year.