Projected change in sea-ice extent through the 21st century

Projections from climate models show that sea-ice thickness and summer sea-ice extent will continue to decline in the coming decades. It is possible that the rate of decline will accelerate. We can expect a nearly ice-free summer for the Arctic Ocean by mid-century. Small amounts of sea ice are expected to remain through the summer in isolated regions, such as north of the Canadian Archipelago. There is likely to be considerable variation between years in the extent of sea ice over the coming decades.