Antarctic Winter Sea Ice Reaches Third-Lowest Level in 47 Years: Climate Change Impact Intensifies

Oct 01, 2025 12:55 pm CST

Antarctica's winter sea ice peaked at 17.81 million square kilometers on September 17, 2025, marking the third-lowest maximum in 47 years of satellite monitoring. Scientists attribute this concerning trend to increasing ocean warmth from climate change, potentially affecting global sea levels and weather patterns. While floating ice melt doesn't directly raise sea levels, its retreat accelerates warming by replacing reflective surfaces with heat-absorbing water.