Just 5.53 million square miles of ice had formed as of March 22, the smallest maximum extent since satellite recordkeeping began in the 1970s.

The Arctic Ocean likely had the smallest winter ice cover in 47 years of satellite records this season, with just 5.53 million square miles of sea ice covering the region at its peak on March 22.

Arctic sea ice has recorded its smallest winter peak extent since satellite records began 47 years ago, new data reveals.