By Paul Homewood

http://nsidc.org/data/seaice_index/index.html

It appears that the Antarctic Sea Ice Extent has now hit its minimum for the year, and has begun growing again.

It reached the low point of 3.650 million sq km on 19th Feb, and currently stands at 3.736 million sq km.

Standard climatology, based on 1979-2000, suggests a minimum of 2.782 million sq km would normally be expected on 24th Feb, so this year’s minimum was 31% above normal.

Last year, the minimum arrived on 23rd Feb, at 3.116 million sq km.

http://nsidc.org/data/seaice_index/index.html

This continues the trend for the last 12 months,when ice extent has been consistently and significantly above the long term mean.

UPDATE

Thanks to PhilW for pointing out that I had missed the “million” from the figures!!!  I have now amended.