Each line on this graph shows the daily sea ice extent around Antarctica for each year since 1979. Extent means “the total ocean area that is at least 15% ice covered” based on satellite data. Years are color-coded by decade: earlier years are lighter blue, and more recent years are darker blue. Unlike the graph for the Arctic over the same period, this graph does not show a clear downward trend over time. The line for 2025 to date, which reaches a near-record low, is bright pink. The line for 2023 (the record-low extent) is a darker shade of pink. NOAA Climate.gov graph, based on data from National Snow and Ice Data Center.