In the first half of June 2019, the shift from ice to water is unusually lop-sided in two respects. The image above, supported by the table later on shows that in the last two weeks water has opened up faster on the Pacific side, and much slower on the Atlantic side, with the exception of Baffin Bay.  The other surprise is that MASIE shows much less ice than does SII, a reversal of the typical situation.

The graph below shows the surprising discrepancy between MASIE and SII appearing in May and continuing in June.

Note that the  NH ice extent 12 year average declined from 12.7M km2 to 10.9M km2 during in the last 30 days.  MASIE 2019 shows about the same decline from 11.9M km2 to 10.3M km2.  That track matched 2016 in May, but is now closest to 2010 and below other years.  Interestingly SII showed a much slower rate of ice extent loss, starting nearly the same as MASIE, but ended this period 400k km2 higher. and close to average and 2018.

I have no explanation for the differential between MASIE and SII.  Note that ice extents in both datasets are levelling off mid-June.

Region	2019166	Day 166 Average	2019-Ave.	2010166	2019-2010
(0) Northern_Hemisphere	10340833	10933549	-592716	10534077	-193244
(1) Beaufort_Sea	761369	968193	-206823	933194	-171824
(2) Chukchi_Sea	680432	799211	-118778	839873	-159441
(3) East_Siberian_Sea	1049046	1054090	-5045	1068901	-19856
(4) Laptev_Sea	750164	778536	-28372	772185	-22021
(5) Kara_Sea	671900	722641	-50741	717539	-45640
(6) Barents_Sea	261587	215180	46408	138264	123324
(7) Greenland_Sea	549038	568045	-19007	524612	24426
(8) Baffin_Bay_ Gulf_of_St._Lawrence	558105	733399	-175294	667457	-109352
(9) Canadian_Archipelago	787036	798742	-11706	766642	20394
(10) Hudson_Bay	1014530	1004832	9698	826781	187749
(11) Central_Arctic	3229461	3221030	8431	3206453	23008
(12) Bering_Sea	17768	33002	-15234	21317	-3550
(13) Baltic_Sea	0	7	-7	0	0
(14) Sea_of_Okhotsk	9381	35292	-25911	83076	-73695

The table shows where the ice is distributed to make the 5.4% defict to average.  Beaufort and Chukchi Seas are more than half of the NH deficit to average, while Baffin has lost 175k km2 to average.

Illustration by Eleanor Lutz shows Earth’s seasonal climate changes. If played in full screen, the four corners present views from top, bottom and sides.

The image above shows that ice began to disappear in earnest during May.  On day 120 (April 30), Bering and Okhotsk Seas (left bottom and far left) were already mostly water.  Elsewhere the first 10 days added some water, and then more rapidly in the last 20 days. The Central Arctic core is intact, including East Siberian and Laptev Sea on the Russian side (left) and Canadian Archipelago (center right) and Hudson Bay (far right).

Meanwhile Beaufort and Chukchi (bottom center) are opening up, along with Baffin (center below Greenland).

The graph below shows a surprising discrepancy between MASIE and SII appearing in May.

Note that the  NH ice extent 12 year average declined from 13.6M km2 to 11.8M km2 during May.  MASIE 2019 shows about the same decline from 12.7M km2 to 10.9M km2.  That track matches 2016, but well below other years.  Interestingly SII showed a much slower rate of ice extent loss, starting nearly the same as MASIE, but ended the month 600k km2 higher. and matching 2018. Some thoughts later on why the discrepancy and the below average extent this year.

Region	2019151	Day 151  Average	2019-Ave.	2007151	2019-2007
(0) Northern_Hemisphere	10939662	11844796	-905134	11846659	-906997
(1) Beaufort_Sea	848114	1000716	-152602	1059461	-211347
(2) Chukchi_Sea	738661	872393	-133732	894617	-155956
(3) East_Siberian_Sea	1059805	1069104	-9299	1069198	-9393
(4) Laptev_Sea	820403	831752	-11349	754651	65752
(5) Kara_Sea	760439	849220	-88780	895678	-135239
(6) Barents_Sea	268245	330718	-62473	323801	-55556
(7) Greenland_Sea	500951	575983	-75031	591919	-90968
(8) Baffin_Bay_Gulf_of_St._Lawrence	756455	931604	-175149	934257	-177802
(9) Canadian_Archipelago	789111	748381	40730	818055	-28944
(10) Hudson_Bay	1103650	1104185	-535	1077744	25906
(11) Central_Arctic	3224969	3218320	6649	3230109	-5141
(12) Bering_Sea	27192	135798	-108606	112353	-85161
(13) Baltic_Sea	0	188	-188	0	0
(14) Sea_of_Okhotsk	40429	105988	-65559	83076	-42647

The table shows where the ice is distributed to make the 7.6% defict to average.  The Pacific Basins of Bering and Okhotsk are ~170k km2 of the difference.  Baffin is 175k km2 below average. Chukchi and Beaufort are the other two large contributors to the 905k km2 deficit.

What’s Going on with Arctic Ice in May?

From Susan Crockford at Polar Bear Science

This is the time year when declining sea ice gets some people all worked up. However, declining ice is normal at this time of year and there is always variation in where the most open water appears first. At this time of year, there isn’t much ice ‘melt’ going on. Rather, what we are seeing is the opening up of shore leads and polynyas by winds.

A polynya (po·lyn·ya) is an area of year-round open water surrounded by heavier, thicker sea ice cover. Polynyas are marine oases in the Arctic, their nutrient-rich waters providing a place to feed, mate and overwinter for a wide range of species.

The North Water Polynya is fed by freshwater from melting ice caps in Greenland and Canada that mix with Pacific water columns snaking through underwater channels in the Northwest Passage and Lancaster Sound. These icy waters merge with a warmer Atlantic current and are carried up the west coast of Greenland.

Dr. Judah Cohen AER Arctic Oscillation and Polar Vortex Analysis and Forecasts
May 24, 2019 says:

Last year at this time, the Arctic was dominated by below normal geopotential height anomalies and this year the Arctic is dominated by above normal geopotential height anomalies. High heights/blocking in the Arctic favors troughing and cooler temperatures in the mid-latitudes and in that regard the high heights in the Arctic, especially on the North Atlantic side, favor troughing and relatively cool temperatures in Europe. If high heights/blocking in the Arctic especially near Greenland, can persist for much of the summer then parts of Europe could experience below normal temperatures this summer.

All forecasts predict a relatively warm summer for East Asia. Again, I think the trend is your friend in East Asia as well and the warm forecast is likely to verify. However as in Europe, persistent high heights/blocking to the north could flip the summer from hot to cool at least regionally.

Finally, if polar cap geopotential height anomalies remain on the warm/positive side for much of the summer, this could result in accelerated sea ice loss relative to recent summers.

The image above shows the disappearing ice in the two Pacific basins over the last 16 days of April.  Okhotsk on the left melted steadily, losing 400k km2 of ice during this period, with only 260k km2 or 20% of its March maximum remaining. Bering Sea on the right actually gained 150k km2 ice extent up to 315k km2, before losing 215k km2 in the last four days, with only 100k km2 of ice left.

Meanwhile the Arctic core, Russian ice shelves and Canadian Archipelago remain frozen  The image above shows ice extent waxing and waning at the margins, especially in Bafffin Bay left of Greenland, and in Greenland Sea in the center.  Barents Sea on the right ended up about the same as it started this period.

The graph below shows how the April Arctic extents compared to the 12 year average and to some years of interest.
MASIE shows NH ice extents 800k km2 below the 12 year average at both the beginning and end of April.  SII ended the month slightly higher.  At this point 2019 is also tracking below 2018 and 2007.  The deficit is mostly due to open water in the Pacific basins.
The green line shows the average NH extents excluding Bering and Okhotsk ice,  The purple line shows the same for 2019, excluding B&O ice.  On day 90, the 12 year average included 1.7M km2 of B&O ice, which dropped to 0.9M by day 120.  In contrast 2019 started the month with 1.3M km2 of B&O ice, with only 0.3M left at month end.  As the table below will show, the over all deficit to average is 800k km2, and 550k km2 is due to Bering and Okhotsk melting.

Region	2019120	Day 120  Average	2019-Ave.	2007120	2019-2007
(0) Northern_Hemisphere	12845831	13636708	-790876	13108068	-262237
(1) Beaufort_Sea	1070463	1068049	2414	1059189	11273
(2) Chukchi_Sea	908742	957319	-48578	949246	-40504
(3) East_Siberian_Sea	1082230	1085731	-3500	1080176	2054
(4) Laptev_Sea	897845	891192	6653	875661	22184
(5) Kara_Sea	921837	912762	9075	864664	57173
(6) Barents_Sea	564996	551830	13166	396544	168452
(7) Greenland_Sea	544988	647270	-102283	644438	-99450
(8) Baffin_Bay_Gulf_of_St._Lawrence	1128210	1256132	-127923	1147115	-18905
(9) Canadian_Archipelago	853337	847923	5414	838032	15305
(10) Hudson_Bay	1255410	1243542	11868	1222074	33336
(11) Central_Arctic	3245152	3237039	8114	3241034	4118
(12) Bering_Sea	100108	515469	-415361	475489	-375381
(13) Baltic_Sea	9715	22746	-13032	14684	-4969
(14) Sea_of_Okhotsk	261111	396325	-135214	295743	-34632

Other than B&O losing ice, the other sizeable deficits to average are coming from Baffin Bay and Greenland Sea.  Of course, all of these basins will be ice-free as usual before September.

 

“Freedom’s Just Another Word for Nothing Left to Lose.” (Kris Kristofferson)

In April, Arctic ice extent is declining as usual with the notable exception of Bering Sea, along with ice retreating in nearby Okhotsk.  Bering still has some ice to lose, but at 178k km2 it is only 31% of the ice there January 27, the largest Bering extent this year.  It is unusual since the Bering ice is only 25% of the 12 year average for this date.  Nearby Chukchi Sea is hardly showing any open water, down only 10k km2 from its maximum.  Open water is also gaining in Okhotsk, the other Pacific basin, but ice extent there is still 6% above the 12-year average.

Elsewhere things are mostly typical with Russian and Canadian basins still frozen with high extents.  The other two places losing ice are Barents and Baffin Bay/Gulf of St. Lawrence shown below.
On the right side is Barents losing ice along the Russian coastline, while holding onto Svalbard.  On the left, water in Baffin Bay is pushing north along the western Greenland coast.  On the extreme left is open water taking over in Gulf of St. Lawrence

The graph below shows how the Arctic extent has faired since the March maximum compared to the 12 year average with and without the Pacific basins of Bering and Okhotsk.  The green line is the 12yr. average without B&O, while 2019 appears in purple when Bering and Okhotsk are excluded.
As of day 105, 2019 ice extent is 858k km2 below the 12yr. average, a gap of 6%.  529k km2 of that difference comes from the combined losses in Bering and Okhotsk.

The graph below shows March/April 2019 compared to average and some years of interest.

All years are tracking below the 12-year average.  2019 MASIE and SII are the same and well below 2018, largely due to Pacific ice losses. 2007 is only slightly higher than 2019 at this point.  The table below shows ice extents by regions comparing 2019 with 12-year average (2007 to 2018 inclusive) and 2007.

Region	2019105	Day 105  Average	2019-Ave.	2007105	2019-2007
(0) Northern_Hemisphere	13443363	14301788	-858425	13588722	-145359
(1) Beaufort_Sea	1070498	1069781	717	1068692	1806
(2) Chukchi_Sea	955995	965240	-9245	961638	-5643
(3) East_Siberian_Sea	1087137	1086417	721	1078666	8471
(4) Laptev_Sea	897845	893203	4642	843501	54344
(5) Kara_Sea	932750	922684	10066	890594	42156
(6) Barents_Sea	586518	611095	-24577	439904	146614
(7) Greenland_Sea	601126	652308	-51182	673585	-72458
(8) Baffin_Bay_Gulf_of_St._Lawrence	1133317	1349987	-216669	1215526	-82208
(9) Canadian_Archipelago	853337	852527	810	848812	4526
(10) Hudson_Bay	1238689	1252970	-14281	1208588	30101
(11) Central_Arctic	3241460	3236044	5416	3235648	5811
(12) Bering_Sea	177335	714883	-537548	600281	-422946
(13) Baltic_Sea	16987	48771	-31784	23534	-6547
(14) Sea_of_Okhotsk	648664	640205	8459	491121	157543

Of course both of these basins will melt out long before the September minimum, along with the Russian shelf seas.

As indicated earlier, Bering supplies almost 2/3 of the deficit to average, with Baffin Bay providing most of the other 1/3. Of course both of these basins will melt out long before the September minimum, along with the Russian shelf seas.

 

 

 

 

The monthly average for March represents the annual maximum for Arctic ice extent.  The graph shows the 12-year March average in MASIE is 15M km2, with SII about 200k km2 less.  In this period six years were higher and seven lower, including a virtual tie between 2019, 2015 and 2007, slightly higher than 2017 and 2018.  In either MASIE or SII this March is ~330k km2 or 2% below the 12-year average.

As we will see, March 2019 ended with a flash melt that reduced extents dramatically in the final week or so.  First the graph of March comparing the daily extents.

Note that 2019 was close to average as recently as day 79 before dropping well below average and recent years.  As reported previously, most of the decline was due to early melting in Bering Sea, which loses its ice every Spring anyway. Below compares NH ice extents with and without Bering ice.

The gap between the black and green lines shows Bering contributed on average ~600k km2 to overall NH ice extents at the beginning of February, increasing to 800k km2 by end of March.  In 2019, the gap between the cyan and purple lines shows ~500k km2 of Bering Ice starting in February, decreasing to 140k km2 by March, then increasing up to 450k km2, and now back down to 180k km2. When the Bering volatility is set aside, the purple and green lines show Arctic ice excluding Bering was above average most of the month, and only slightly lower at the end.

So what has been happening?  In two words: Polar Vortex.  When cold Arctic air descends into parts of North America and Euarasia, warm moist air intrudes into the Arctic to replace it, and ice extents are reduced. For example, see the recently reported balmy weather in UK, and soon to be switched to bitter cold weather. From the Express  UK weather forecast: SHOCK Map shows Britain ENGULFED by freezing Arctic weather front

The cold front is shown in the image, The link underneath goes to the video.

//players.brightcove.net/2540076170001/B1Hli6KCG_default/index.html?videoId=6020946025001#t=12s

The table below shows extents for day 90 comparing 2019 to the 12 year average, and also showing the 600k km2 loss of ice in just 8 days at month end.

Region	2019090	Day 090  Average	2019-Ave.	2019082	2019090-2019082
(0) Northern_Hemisphere	13983435	14786570	-803135	14600645	-617210
(1) Beaufort_Sea	1070498	1070149	348	1070291	207
(2) Chukchi_Sea	945075	965775	-20700	966006	-20931
(3) East_Siberian_Sea	1087137	1086034	1103	1087137	0
(4) Laptev_Sea	897845	896685	1160	897845	0
(5) Kara_Sea	892123	917893	-25770	926462	-34340
(6) Barents_Sea	515799	658886	-143086	681050	-165251
(7) Greenland_Sea	585051	659518	-74467	552178	32873
(8) Baffin_Bay_Gulf_of_St._Lawrence	1343734	1456673	-112939	1431122	-87388
(9) Canadian_Archipelago	853337	852817	520	853337	0
(10) Hudson_Bay	1260903	1253798	7105	1260903	0
(11) Central_Arctic	3238381	3233007	5374	3227734	10647
(12) Bering_Sea	178917	803209	-624292	446151	-267235
(13) Baltic_Sea	25134	68136	-43002	41886	-16752
(14) Sea_of_Okhotsk	1086939	851929	235010	1150521	-63582

Note that BCE (Beaufort, Chukchi and East Siberian) is rock solid, along with Laptev.  Atlantic melting has begun, with the largest losses in Barents and Baffin Bay.  The major deficit in Bering is there, And while Okhotsk has started melting, it remains 235k km2 above average at this time.

In February the media breathlessly told us that Bering Sea ice has melted away, and thus Arctic ice is doomed.  Now we see that reports of the demise were premature.  More surprising than the early retreat, Bering ice roared back in the last two weeks, and continues to grow even after the overall NH ice extent peaked

Two Weeks of Growing Bering Ice: The above image shows the last two weeks of dramatic ice growth in Bering with only minor melting in Okhotsk. Bering Sea on the right more than doubled, adding 250k km2 and effectively sealing off Chukchi inside the Arctic.  Meanwhile on the left Okhotsk ice seesawed, ending up 150k km2 lower, but still at 88% of 2019 maximum.
The graph below shows March progress in ice extent peaking and beginning the melt season. As noted before, the month started with a sharp increase nearly reaching average and 15M km2. After March 12, ice declined steadily as is normal after mid-March.  2019 extent is running lower than the 12 year average, but slightly higher than other recent years.  SII is showing about 100k km2 less ice than MASIE.

The table below shows the distribution of ice in the various Arctic basins.

Region	2019082	Day 082  Average	2019-Ave.	2018082	2019-2018
(0) Northern_Hemisphere	14600645	14891081	-290436	14511954	88692
(1) Beaufort_Sea	1070291	1070115	176	1070445	-154
(2) Chukchi_Sea	966006	965595	411	966006	0
(3) East_Siberian_Sea	1087137	1086844	293	1087137	0
(4) Laptev_Sea	897845	897552	293	897845	0
(5) Kara_Sea	926462	917591	8871	934807	-8344
(6) Barents_Sea	681050	653698	27352	720725	-39675
(7) Greenland_Sea	552178	642867	-90689	539109	13069
(8) Baffin_Bay_Gulf_of_St._Lawrence	1431122	1509559	-78437	1346761	84361
(9) Canadian_Archipelago	853337	852881	456	853109	229
(10) Hudson_Bay	1260903	1255967	4937	1260838	66
(11) Central_Arctic	3227734	3227309	426	3158495	69240
(12) Bering_Sea	446151	773234	-327083	345861	100291
(13) Baltic_Sea	41886	87497	-45611	135848	-93962
(14) Sea_of_Okhotsk	1150521	933366	217155	1183119	-32598

The table shows how 2019 is 290k km2 or 2% below the 12-year average.  Most basins are matching average extent, including Barents Sea edging slightly ahead of average.  Greenland Sea and Baffin Bay are below average. Despite recent gains, Bering ice is 327k km2 in deficit to average, nearly the difference in overall NH extent.  Meanwhile Okhotsk is 217k km2 surplus to average, partially offsetting Bering.

 

 

 

 

Above are ice charts from AARI, St. Petersburg for the annual maximum weeks in Mid-March, 2008 to 2019 inclusive. The brown color signifies Old Ice that survived at least one summer’s melt season.  The Arctic heart is beating clear and strong. Note differences between diminished years like 2012 and 2013 compared to more robust recent years.

For context, note that the average daily maximum has been ~15M, so on average the extent shrinks to 30% of the March daily high before growing back the following winter.

 

A previous post discussed 15M km2 as the average maximum threshold for March arctic ice extents.The graph shows 2019 exceeded the previous two years, but now it appears to fall just short.  On day 61, March 2, 2016 peaked well above 15M, and did not reach that level again. The graph shows 2017 peaked early and then descended into the Spring melt.  2018 started much lower, gained steadily before peaking on day 74, 250k km2 below average. 2019 has been exceptional, surging early to surpass average on day 54, then declined for a week, before re-surging to virtually tie the average extent on day 70.  Day 71 extent matched the earlier peak, then retreated and is now unlikely to go higher after day 75.

Presently, on day 75 2019 is 1% below the 12 year average (2007 to 2018 inclusive) and slightly higher than the preceding three years.

As reported previously, the action is mostly in the Pacific basins.  The last 10 days show Bering on the right recovering from its minimum to add back 230k km2.  Meanwhile Okhotsk on the left lost 120k km2, so the combined gain was not enough for NH to reach the threshold.  On the Atlantic side, ice extents held firm, with Barents higher than in recent years.

Note on the left the ice has pushed well south of Newfoundland.  On the right Barents ice is holding onto Svalbard, and Kara remains at its maximum.

The table below shows the distribution of ice over the various Arctic basins compared to average and to last year.

Region	2019075	Day 075 Average	2019-Ave.	2018075	2019-2018
(0) Northern_Hemisphere	14823898	14996207	-172310	14704038	119860
(1) Beaufort_Sea	1070498	1070200	297	1070445	53
(2) Chukchi_Sea	965766	966002	-236	966006	-240
(3) East_Siberian_Sea	1087137	1087134	3	1087137	0
(4) Laptev_Sea	897845	897842	3	897845	0
(5) Kara_Sea	934746	917400	17346	934970	-224
(6) Barents_Sea	777137	618675	158462	718542	58595
(7) Greenland_Sea	549834	616633	-66799	533408	16426
(8) Baffin_Bay_Gulf_of_St._Lawrence	1561378	1593403	-32025	1480294	81084
(9) Canadian_Archipelago	853337	852783	555	853109	229
(10) Hudson_Bay	1260903	1257469	3434	1260838	66
(11) Central_Arctic	3235099	3218575	16524	3167361	67738
(12) Bering_Sea	371625	802103	-430478	432417	-60791
(13) Baltic_Sea	54792	82770	-27978	125618	-70826
(14) Sea_of_Okhotsk	1194159	995230	198928	1159963	34196

The table shows that except for Bering, Arctic ice extents are firm almost everywhere.  Barents, Kara and Okhotsk are well above average, but not enough to offset the deficit of Bering ice, even with the recent recovery.

Typically, Arctic ice extent loses 67 to 70% of the March maximum by mid September, before recovering the ice in building toward the next March.

 

 

 

 

For ice extent in the Arctic, the bar is set at 15M km2. The average in the last 12 years occurs on day 62 at 15.07M before descending. Most years are able to clear 15M, but in the five previous years only 2014 and 2016 ice extents cleared the bar at 15M km2; the others came up short.

On day 61, March 2, 2016 peaked well above 15M, and did not reach that level again. The graph shows 2017 peaked early and then descended into the Spring melt.  2018 started much lower, gained steadily before peaking on day 74, 250k km2 below average. 2019 has been exceptional, surging early to surpass average on day 54, then declined for a week, before re-surging to virtually tie the average extent on day 70.  One final push in the next few days could go over the top.

As reported previously, Bering Sea is a big part of the story this year.  The graph above shows NH ice extents from mid-February to mid-March with and without Bering ice.  The gap between black and green lines shows that Bering contributed about 700k km2 to the NH average, increasing to 800k km2 by the end of this period.  However, 2019 started with about 500k km2 from Bering.  The gap between the cyan and purple lines shows Bering ice declined down to 140k km2, before adding back 100k km2 in the last 3 days. Meanwhile, Okhotsk Sea next door gained steadily and is now holding above average ice extents.  Except for Bering, 2019 ice extents are well above the 12 year average (2007 to 2018 inclusive).

Typically, Arctic ice extent loses 67 to 70% of the March maximum by mid September, before recovering the ice in building toward the next March.

What will the ice do this year?  Where will 2019 rank in the annual Arctic Ice High Jump competition?

 

 

 

This week has news reports frightened about the early melting of ice in Bering Sea.  This post is to reassure everyone that the lost ice has been found, most of it just next door in Okhotsk sea.

The Pacific basins of Bering and Okhotsk display opposing ice patterns this year.

The last two weeks saw open water growing on the right in Bering Sea, now down to 140k km2, one-fourth of its maximum extent.  Meanwhile, Okhotsk on the left grew steadily, now pressing down on Hokkaido Island, producing the southernmost Arctic Ice to be found. The graph below shows how 2019 compares to the 12 year average, after taking the Bering anomaly out of the picture.

The chart runs from mid-February to mid-March, showing how 2019 NH ice extent peaked above average on day 54, declined for a week, then rose again recently.  The effect of Bering ice loss appears in the gaps between NH extents with and without Bering ice.  Note that the black and green lines show Bering has contributed about 700k km2 to the overall total, and that increases to 800k km2 by day 76.

2019 NH included about 500k km2 from Bering on day 32, but the Bering extent has steadily decreased, now only 140k km2.  Thus 2019 w/o Bering is 270k km2 greater than NH average w/o Bering at this time, with another 10 days or so for additional ice to form.

The table below shows ice extents in the various basins on day 64.

Region	2019064	Day 064  Average	2019-Ave.	2018064	2019-2018
(0) Northern_Hemisphere	14706623	15022070	-315447	14461393	245231
(1) Beaufort_Sea	1070498	1070200	297	1070445	53
(2) Chukchi_Sea	943452	965931	-22479	965161	-21709
(3) East_Siberian_Sea	1087137	1087133	4	1087120	18
(4) Laptev_Sea	897845	897842	3	897845	0
(5) Kara_Sea	934558	927864	6694	934055	503
(6) Barents_Sea	781551	642119	139431	598121	183430
(7) Greenland_Sea	553335	639443	-86108	548263	5072
(8) Baffin_Bay_Gulf_of_St._Lawrence	1575867	1538064	37803	1610374	-34507
(9) Canadian_Archipelago	853337	853037	300	853109	229
(10) Hudson_Bay	1260903	1259978	925	1260838	66
(11) Central_Arctic	3246782	3218361	28421	3150790	95993
(12) Bering_Sea	140439	716013	-575574	286010	-145571
(13) Baltic_Sea	64749	106825	-42077	166155	-101407
(14) Sea_of_Okhotsk	1285797	1063174	222622	1008051	277746

The Bering deficit is 575k km2 or just 20% of the 12 year average.  Surpluses in Okhotsk, Baffin, Central Arctic and Barents do not completely offset, so the NH total is 315k km2 or 2% below average.

Taking a boat trip from Hokkaido Island to see Okhotsk drift ice is a big tourist attraction, as seen in the short video below.  Al Gore had them worried back then, but not now.