Sea ice index monitors polar ice extent

In September 2002, Arctic sea ice extent reached a minimum unprecedented in 24 years of satellite passive microwave observations, and almost certainly unmatched in 50 years of charting Arctic ice [ Serreze et al. , 2003]. Again, in September 2003, ice retreated to an unusually low extent, almost equaling the previous year's minimum (Figure l). The Sea Ice Index (http://nsidc.org/data/seaice_index/), an easy‐to‐use source of information on sea ice trends and anomalies, assists in observing these minima. The Sea Ice Index is intended for both researchers and the scientifically inclined general public.