The article by Ella Gilbert and Caroline Holmes from the British Antarctic Survey discusses the record-breaking low Antarctic sea ice extent in 2023. The authors highlight that this year saw an unprecedented slow winter freeze-up, followed by a record minimum extent and the lowest winter maximum on record. The "missing" sea ice area for July 2023 was larger than Algeria, the world's tenth-largest country. The article provides historical context, explaining that Antarctic sea ice plays a crucial role in global climate, ocean circulation, and atmospheric patterns. It also discusses the long-term trends and variability in Antarctic sea ice, noting that while there was a slight increase from 1979 to 2015, subsequent years have seen dramatic losses. The authors examine the drivers of low sea ice conditions, including subsurface ocean heat, warm sea surface temperatures, and atmospheric patterns like the Amundsen Sea Low (ASL) and Southern Annular Mode (SAM). They conclude that the 2023 anomalies are extremely rare, but the short observational record and complex interactions between natural variability and climate change make it difficult to determine the exact rarity of the event. The article emphasizes the importance of Antarctic sea ice and suggests that it is likely to decline in response to anthropogenic climate change.The article by Ella Gilbert and Caroline Holmes from the British Antarctic Survey discusses the record-breaking low Antarctic sea ice extent in 2023. The authors highlight that this year saw an unprecedented slow winter freeze-up, followed by a record minimum extent and the lowest winter maximum on record. The "missing" sea ice area for July 2023 was larger than Algeria, the world's tenth-largest country. The article provides historical context, explaining that Antarctic sea ice plays a crucial role in global climate, ocean circulation, and atmospheric patterns. It also discusses the long-term trends and variability in Antarctic sea ice, noting that while there was a slight increase from 1979 to 2015, subsequent years have seen dramatic losses. The authors examine the drivers of low sea ice conditions, including subsurface ocean heat, warm sea surface temperatures, and atmospheric patterns like the Amundsen Sea Low (ASL) and Southern Annular Mode (SAM). They conclude that the 2023 anomalies are extremely rare, but the short observational record and complex interactions between natural variability and climate change make it difficult to determine the exact rarity of the event. The article emphasizes the importance of Antarctic sea ice and suggests that it is likely to decline in response to anthropogenic climate change.