With 2018 ending at a 5th lowest average for the year for Arctic sea ice volume, we’re now up to the 6th lowest position per February 21st. These are however still early days, and a 52–day average, while much more reliable than a daily figure, is a lot less indicative of where the year is going than, say, a 100–day or 200–day average. This could still go either way! Note also how incredibly tight we are with 2012, all the way from the start on New Year’s Day, keeping in mind that 2012 still went ahead to a record low September minimum and annual average volume, at the time.

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 a year-to-date average graph?
A: Easy. Use a computer. Add all the ice for every day so far this year, divide by the 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.