Our Research

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.

Beginning October 15, 2025, NSIDC’s Ice Sheets Today services will be reduced because of  non-renewed funding.

Beginning October 15, 2025, NSIDC’s Sea Ice Today services will be reduced  because of  non-renewed funding.

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.

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.

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.