2018 was the 5th lowest calendar year on record for annual average sea ice volume in the Arctic. After 2017, 2012, 2016 & 2011. Since New Year we’ve climbed further up, and per now it even seems likely we’ll leave this chart at the high end, by averaging higher than 14 thousand km³ sea ice volume.

Q: Where’s the data source for this plot?
A: Here: http://psc.apl.uw.edu/research/projects/arctic-sea-ice-volume-anomaly/data/
Q: How can anyone make an annual average graph?
A: Easy. Use a computer. Add all the ice for the latest 365 days, divide by that number of days.
Q: Why would I even do that?
A: Let’s say you want to know how much ice we have in 2019 compared to other years.