This series of globes from June–August 2009 shows how sea ice, snow, and ice sheets in the Northern Hemisphere reflect large amounts of incoming sunlight and help keep the Arctic cool in the summer.
Published Oct 29, 2009
Arctic sea ice reaches its maximum extent in mid-March, around the time of the Vernal Equinox. After the Equinox, sunlight shines at the North Pole constantly until fall, and the sea ice will gradually decline.
Published Mar 21, 2009
Arctic sea ice in February 2018 was the lowest of any February on record, while air temperatures in the region soared.
Published Mar 9, 2018
This trio of global maps illustrates how snow and clouds make Earth more reflective.
Published Dec 18, 2009
Winter is loosening its grip on the Northern Hemisphere, but the seasonal change in Northern Europe is less dramatic than most years.
Published Mar 23, 2020Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Drought Fires Snow and Ice Temperature Extremes
Snow and ice play an important role in keeping our planet cool, though not in the way you might think.
Published May 19, 2011
Though the talk in much of the United States was about polar vortices and wicked cold snaps, the wider world was actually warmer than normal.
Published Mar 20, 2014
Taken on June 10, 2010, this true-color image captures the western Canadian Arctic in a moment of transformation. Signs of winter are still present, but summer is clearly on the horizon.
Published Jun 16, 2010
In the Arctic, sea ice extent fluctuates with the seasons. It reaches its peak extent in March, near the end of Northern Hemisphere winter, and its minimum extent in September, at the end of the summer thaw. In September 2007, Arctic sea ice extent was the smallest area on record since satellites began collecting measurements about 30 years ago.
Published Mar 25, 2008
Acquired June 28, 2010, this natural-color mosaic shows largely sunny skies over the Arctic, occurring at the same time as near round-the-clock sunlight.
Published Jul 6, 2010
