Sea ice extent for February 2021 tracked well below average, but at month’s end was still higher than levels recorded in several recent years. Extent grew at an average pace.
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Across the globe, snow and ice play a vital role in regulating Earth’s climate and providing freshwater resources to people, plants, and animals.
As Earth’s frozen regions change rapidly, NSIDC is committed to growing its research and open access data to better understand these changes. Read about NSIDC research and its contribution to science and policy making. Check out spotlights on how to use NSIDC data, tools, and resources. Learn about how we steward data and collaborate with scientists and organizations across the world to understand how the frozen parts of Earth affect the rest of the planet and impact society.
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Analysis - Snow Today
Snow-covered area in the western United States increased from 54 percent of average in January to 77 percent in February, and likely reached maximum coverage on February 17, two weeks later than average. Snow cover days increased significantly...
Analysis - Ice Sheets Today
With a correction applied, a first look at the 2020 to 2021 season points to an intense melt season in the northernmost and southernmost Antarctic Peninsula, but generally below-average melting elsewhere on the continent.
News Release
QGreenland, an open-source mapping tool that aids in the discovery and teaching about Greenland, is now available from the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) and its partners.
Analysis - Snow Today
January 2021 was the lowest in the 21-year satellite record for average snow-covered area and snow cover days in the western United States. In late January, an atmospheric river brought large increases in snow cover and snow water equivalent in California.
Analysis - Sea Ice Today
Arctic sea ice extent for January 2021 tracked below average, with the monthly average finishing sixth lowest in the satellite record.