Models test potential influence of global warming on 2023 record-low Antarctic sea ice

In September 2023, the Antarctic sea ice winter maximum fell so far below the long-term average for that time of year—and below the previous record-low maximum extent—that sea ice scientists were compelled to find an explanation. In contrast to the Arctic, which has shown a long-term sea ice decline linked to climate change, Antarctic sea ice has historically shown a minimal long-term trend with high year-to-year variation. Scientists have largely attributed Antarctic sea ice behavior to natural variability. This difference …