80 degrees north

North of 80°N is the the last place where spring starts. Temperatures remain below freezing until June.

- The region holds the thickest sea ice

- FDD indicate how thick the ice can grow over the winter

- Currently (2010s) this is the only region where sea ice survives the summer melt.

Topographical map (Google Earth)

2nd April 2015

Nasa Worldview

Ocean and Continents are frozen up to around 50°N. Only the Atlantic Ocean is ice free up to 80°N near Svalbard.

28th Aug 2012

Nasa Worldview

Close to a record low minimum sea ice area. The only sea ice left is north of 80°N.