This year’s extent (as defined by greater than 15% ice coverage) is not quite as low as the record in 2012, but that is because in 2012 winds had blown a lot of ice from the western Arctic sea up against the archipelago.

2012 on this calendar date:

Image: ictn2012091218_2012091000_035_arcticictn.001.gif

Last year on this date:

Image: ictn2015091218_2015091000_041_arcticictn.001.gif

Today:

Image: ictn2016091218_2016091000_046_arcticictn.001.gif