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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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On the landmasses surrounding the Arctic Ocean, tundra typically thrives. Tundra landscapes consist of low-profile, cold-adapted plants that eke out their tiny lives in short, cool summers.

SWE graph for four hydrologic basins
Analysis - Snow Today
Snow-covered area was the second lowest in the 22-year satellite record. All western states and large river basins had below average snow cover. As of January 31, snow cover days hit a record low, surpassing the previous record low year of 2015.
Analysis - Sea Ice Today

While January began with sea ice extent below average, by the end of the month, extent increased. January 2022 finished as the sixteenth lowest extent in the satellite record above all years since 2009.

Photo of Marshall Fire aftermath, December 31, 2021
Analysis - Snow Today
Snow-covered area and snow cover days were the lowest in the 22-year satellite record. Dry, autumn conditions in Colorado prevailed with latest snow fall since 1882 contributing to a fire that burned a record number of homes in Colorado.
Figure 2b
Analysis - Ice Sheets Today
So far during the austral spring and summer, except for the northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula and in the area of the Roi Baudion Ice Shelf, few areas on the Antarctic Ice Sheet had any significant surface melting as of this post.