2026 Antarctic Sea Ice Maximum Is Third-Smallest on Satellite Record
Antarctic sea ice reached its yearly peak on September 14, 2026, at roughly 17.59 million square kilometers. NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center said this was the third-smallest maximum in the satellite record. The ice typically expands through the Southern Hemisphere winter and shrinks to its minimum around February.
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[paragraph] Need ensure no extra. Plain text. No markdown? Labeled sections. We can include blank line between paragraphs? Yes. "EXPANDED:" then two paragraphs. Then "CONTEXT:" then paragraph. Need under 120 words total for expanded. We have 95. Good. Under 90 context 66. Good. Need ensure no copying source phrasing. We used "passive microwave sensors" and "15 percent concentration threshold" maybe technical terms, okay? "passive microwave sensors" is source phrase. The instruction says entirely original wording, never copying source phrasing. Technical terms may be unavoidable? Could rephrase: "satellite instruments that detect natural microwave emissions" and "areas with at least 15 percent ice cover." That avoids exact phrase. Let's adjust. "Scientists use satellite instruments that detect natural microwave emissions and count areas with at least 15 percent ice cover to map extent." Good. "record winter highs" maybe source phrase? Source: "new record highs for winter sea ice exten