# Antarctic sea ice shrinking

> Antarctic sea ice reaches third-lowest winter maximum in four years.
- Title: Antarctic sea ice shrinking · MercoPress | Shortify
- Summary: Antarctic sea ice reaches third-lowest winter maximum in four years. Antarctic sea ice extent hit 17.59 million square kilometres, a million square…
- Keywords: antarctica, sea ice, climate change, antarctic sea ice, national snow and ice data center, alberta wayne institute, korea polar research institute, university of buenos aires, el nino, news, world, politics
- Source: MercoPress — https://en.mercopress.com/2026/10/02/a-million-square-kilometres-short-the-ice-ring-around-antarctica-keeps-shrinking
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: antarctica, sea ice, climate change, antarctic sea ice, national snow and ice data center, alberta wayne institute, korea polar research institute, university of buenos aires, el nino, news, world, politics
## Antarctic sea ice extent
The sea ice surrounding Antarctica reached its third-lowest winter maximum this year since satellite records began in 1979.
## Record low extent
Extent peaked on September 14 at 17.59 million square kilometres, more than a million below the historical average.
## Historical context
Only the winters of 2023 and 2024 recorded lower maxima, with the four lowest maxima occurring in the last four years.
## Climate scientist perspective
Lettie Roach, a climate scientist at Germany's Alfred Wegener Institute, said the low values persisting are concerning after decades of stable or increasing conditions.
## Regional trends
July recorded the fifth-lowest extent on record and August the fourth-lowest, with all five lowest Julys since 2022.
## Scientific explanation
Water temperature appears to be a decisive factor in the decline, though the current El Niño may have played a role through changes in winds and storm tracks.
## Key takeaway

Antarctic sea ice extent hit 17.59 million square kilometres, a million square kilometres below historical average, marking the third-lowest winter maximum since satellite records began in 1979.