The Year–To–Date average extent finally left 2nd lowest for lowest ever sea ice in the Arctic 3 weeks ago. The 4 lowest years are also still the 4 latest years: 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019. These 4 will knock 2012 down to #5 for the full year.

Q: Where’s the data source for this plot?
A: Here: https://ads.nipr.ac.jp/vishop/#/extent
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.

Due in large part to ongoing Collapse of Arctic Sea Ice our Frozen Earth is Going South.