Guardian: During the winter of 2015–16, the average sea ice cover in the Arctic never exceeded 14.52 million km2, a record low winter maximum for the region. According to the US National Snow and Ice Data Center, March was the third straight month in which sea-ice levels reached a new low. Winter is usually the period when sea-ice extent increases, but unusually high temperatures in January and February significantly stunted its growth. Many Arctic researchers suggest that the record low increase in ice coverage could signal the beginning of an irreversible trend of continually shrinking sea ice. Recent summers have seen extreme lows in sea ice as well. Because dark water absorbs more solar energy than does bright white, snow-covered ice, the growing areas of open water have contributed to the increased temperatures year round. Within 20 to 25 years, it is likely the Arctic will be completely ice-free during summer months.
