Comparing this weekend's arctic image with 2007

[phantom power]

Cryosphere query:
http://igloo.atmos.uiuc.edu/cgi-bin/test/print.sh?fm=08&fd=21&fy=2010&sm=08&sd=21&sy=2007

[northoftheborder]

1. Arctic sea ice

Compare 2010 - with 1979 - very dramatic change. You can change the dates on the displays.

[XemaSab]

2. 2007 was obviously "worse" in some ways

but we've had unusual weather patterns up north this year.

The weakness across the entire ice sheet, especially north of Svalbard, is fascinating.

[joshcryer]

3. I don't get how extent claims 2007 was worse, though.

[phantom power]

4. Things are changing up there. Structurally.

Total surface area does not, in my opinion, capture much of that. But it was interesting to look at the image and be reminded of how darned much coverage disappeared in 2007.