Photo: See ice? It’s sea ice, inching toward maximum extent for 2015

Usually by the end of March, the annual formation of sea ice in the Arctic and Antarctic oceans reach their maximum extent. The Canadian Ice Service just released this composite satellite photo showing the extent of ice in the Arctic Ocean for the period March 10 to March 16. The Colorado-based National Snow and Ice Data Centre reported March 4 that maximum sea ice extent this year is tracking below average, especially in Russia’s Sea of Okhotsk and in the Bering Sea between Alaska and Russia. The NSIDC said on its website that there is often a surge of ice growth right about now. “However, if the current pattern of below-average extent continues, Arctic sea ice extent may set a new lowest winter maximum.” (PHOTO COURTESY CANADIAN ICE SERVICE)