World’s sea ice cover hits record low in February

PARIS, France (AFP) — Global sea ice cover hit a historic low in February as the world endured exceptional heat, with temperatures near the North Pole soaring 11 degrees Celsius above average, Europe’s climate monitor said Thursday.

The Copernicus Climate Change Service said February 2025 was the third-hottest on record, continuing a warming trend since 2023 stoked by greenhouse gas emissions.

Combined Antarctic and Arctic sea ice cover — ocean water that freezes and floats on the surface — dropped to a record minimum extent of 16.04 million square kilometers on 7 February, Copernicus said.

“February 2025 continues the streak of record or near-record temperatures observed throughout the last two years,” said Samantha Burgess of the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, which runs Copernicus.

“One of the consequences of a warmer world is melting sea ice, and the record or near-record low sea ice cover at both poles has pushed global sea ice cover to an all-time minimum.”

The poles are warming several times faster than the global average.

Arctic ice cover, which typically peaks in March, was at an historic low for February, eight percent below average, marking the third consecutive monthly record.

In the Antarctic, where it is now summer and the ice is melting, the frozen cover was 26 percent below average across February.

The Antarctic region reached its annual minimum on 1 March, tying with 2022 and 2024 for the second-lowest extent in the 47-year satellite record, according to the US National Snow and Ice Data Center.

Research scientist Ted Scambos explained that while sea ice loss was near average late last year, it accelerated sharply in January and February. “Antarctica seems to finally be feeling the heat,” he said.