--- title: "Antarctic Ice Reaches “Record-Smashing Low,” Alarming Scientists" description: "A grim NOAA report reveals that Antarctic sea ice levels have reached a record wintertime low — and a drastic year-over-year decrease." date: "2023-07-09" modified: "2023-07-09" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/antarctic-ice-record-low" categories: - "Climate Change" - "Environment" - "Science & Energy" tags: - "Antarctica" - "climate change" - "sea ice" - "the digest" --- # Antarctic Ice Reaches “Record-Smashing Low,” Alarming Scientists ![A grim NOAA report reveals that Antarctic sea ice levels have reached a record wintertime low — and a drastic year-over-year decrease.]() *\Image: NASA\* ## Bad Record A [grim report]() put together by representatives of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has revealed that [Antarctic sea ice]() levels have reached a record new wintertime low. Usually, the ice is expected to accumulate during the Southern Hemisphere's winter season. But this year, data from the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) tells a wildly different story — and unfortunately, it's one of continued loss. "In the midst of its winter growth phase, Antarctic sea ice has reached a record smashing-low extent for this time of year," [NOAA tweeted last week](). "Sea ice extent is approaching a half a million square miles below the previous lowest extent, observed in 2022." It's a concerning situation — especially considering the Antarctic already reached [record-low summer levels]() back in February. https://twitter.com/NOAAClimate/status/1674153912818081800?s=20 ## Four Texases This year's Antarctic wintertime sea ice levels fall nearly "one million square miles below the 1981–2010 average" and approach "half a million square miles below the previous lowest extent for the day, observed in 2022," according to the NOAA report. To put those figures into context, NSIDC science writer Michon Scott, who authored the NOAA report, offered a helpful comparison. "Antarctic sea ice extent for June 27, 2023, fell below the previous record low for this date by nearly twice the size of Texas," Scott wrote. "It fell below the 1981–2010 average for this date by nearly four times the size of Texas." ## Global Impact These findings are especially troubling since Antarctica has generally proven more resilient in comparison to the Artic, which has conversely shown a "decades-long decline" in surrounding sea ice, according to the report. Considering that ocean levels play a massive role [in everything]() from global weather patterns to food systems, it's a trend we should all be worried about. "Antarctic sea ice's current extraordinary behavior raises the question of whether this could be the start of a longer-term trend related to climate or ocean changes," Scott wrote, "but answering that question will require more time, data, and research." **More on Antarctica's bad year:** [*Scientists Send Robot under Doomsday Glacier, Alarmed by What It Found*]() ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()