The graph below plots the PIPS July 7 ice thickness distribution for 2008 and 2011. 2008 had more ice area, but the ice was much thinner. As a result, a lot of ice melted in August and September. That is less likely to happen in 2011 because the ice is thicker and located at higher latitudes.
 | gelcarrion0t on New Video : Analyzing Oil And… |
 | saveenergy on Is Antarctica Melting? |
| saveenergy on 65 Years Of Progress! |
 | Jeff L. on Analyzing The Western Water Cr… |
 | Morgan Wright on Great Lakes Approaching 100% I… |
| Morgan Wright on Great Lakes Set Another Spring… |
| gelcarrion0t on New Visitech Features |
| saveenergy on Ice-Free Arctic By 2014 |
| gelcarrion0t on Ice-Free Arctic By 2014 |
| gelcarrion0t on Debt-Free US Treasury Forecast |
That huge, thick chunk of ice is melting very slowly. We will probably be quite pleased with the September numbers. In six weeks or so, we should know the story.
How do those plots compare with 2010?
-Scott
2010 was similar to 2011, but 2010 had a lot of thick ice near 70N latitude in Siberia. This year the thick ice is north of 75N and is less likely to melt.