Record Low Antarctic Sea Ice Cover in February 2022
John Turner, Caroline Holmes, Thomas Caton Harrison, Tony Phillips, Babula Jena, Tylei Reeves‐Francois, Ryan L. Fogt, Elizabeth R. Thomas, C. C. Bajish
Abstract
Abstract On 25 February 2022 Antarctic sea ice extent dropped to a satellite‐era record low level of 1.92 × 10 6 km 2 , 0.92 × 10 6 km 2 below the long‐term mean. The area of sea ice was also at a record low level of 1.24 × 10 6 km 2 . Although no individual sector was at a record low, at the minimum there were negative sea ice anomalies in all sectors of the Southern Ocean, with the largest in the Ross (contributing 46%) and Weddell Seas (26%). The Amundsen Sea Low had a record low depth in October/November 2021, with a series of very deep depressions giving strong offshore winds. These accelerated ice loss during the melt season, creating a 1.00 × 10 6 km 2 coastal polynya in the Ross Sea. In the northern Weddell Sea, westerly winds of record strength led to ice export from the region.