Sea Ice Extent and Concentration [in State of the Climate in 2010]

During 2010, zonally-averaged Antarctic sea ice extent was characterized by fluctuations that were closely associated with changes in large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns. Sea ice extent from January through late April was generally near to below average compared to the 1979–2008 mean (Fig. 6.7a), although major regional contrasts are apparent during this time. This pattern, and the underlying climate pattern in the far south, changed significantly for the period June–December. In general, a strong positive sea ice extent anomaly was observed during this time.