Arctic sea ice returns to 1979 levels

January 9, 2:41 PMDenver Weather ExaminerTony Hake

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Recent satellite analysis shows that Arctic sea ice has
returned to 1979 levels.

Back in September it was reported with great zeal that Arctic sea ice was melting at an alarming rate and that there was the danger of most all sea ice melting. Concern over the ice even prompted United States government officials to list the polar bear as a threatened species. 

Three months removed from that panic, the latest satellite analysis from the University of Illinois Arctic Climate Research Center now shows there was no cause for concern as sea ice levels rebounded at near record levels and in fact returned to levels not seen in almost 30 years. Each year with the change of seasons the amount of sea ice fluctuates as it melts and refreezes. Colder temperatures invaded the region and winds that hamper ice growth have been lower thus allowing the sea ice to return to the new levels.

As reported by DailyTech:

Sea ice is floating and, unlike the massive ice sheets anchored to bedrock in Greenland and Antarctica, doesn't affect ocean levels. However, due to its transient nature, sea ice responds much faster to changes in temperature or precipitation and is therefore a useful barometer of changing conditions.
 

The article further goes on to point out that the thinner ice that was present before the last quarter changes did not recover as it was expected to. They had expected the new, thin ice to melt easier when in fact less snow cover allowed to to recover much faster than expected. So in a nutshell, they could not accurately predict the recovery of sea ice over a short period of time. It does make one wonder how they can predict longterm changes to the climate.