The downward linear trend in Arctic sea ice extent for February over the 46-year satellite record is 41,000 square kilometers (16,000 square miles) per year, or 2.7 percent per decade relative to the 1981 to 2010 average (Figure 3). Based on the linear trend, February has lost 1.84 million square kilometers (710,000 square miles) of ice since 1979. This is equivalent to the size of Alaska.

Remember, March is the month of Max Sea Ice Extent in the Arctic. September is the month of Minimum SIE.