August Arctic Attrition Accelerating

The latest Arctic sea ice update from the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) reports that the rate of melting has accelerated in the first 10 days of August. As a result, "Amundsen's historic Northwest Passage is opening up." Although the extent of melting so far is less than last year's record, it is still way ahead of the long term average.

See DeSmog Blog and Climate Progress for further comments.

Image from NSIDC shows 2008 Arctic sea ice extent vs. 2007 and long term average.