This study presents satellite passive-microwave data from 1978 to 2010 showing that Antarctic sea ice cover has, on average, expanded since the late 1970s, with a positive trend of 17,100 ± 2300 km² yr⁻¹ in ice extent. The Ross Sea contributed the majority of this increase, while the Bellingshausen/Amundsen Seas experienced a significant decrease of -8200 ± 1200 km² yr⁻¹. When examined through the annual cycle over 32 years, the Southern Hemisphere sea ice cover showed positive trends in every month, with the highest trend in May (24,700 ± 10,000 km² yr⁻¹) and the lowest in February (9100 ± 6300 km² yr⁻¹). The ice-area trend had the same sign as the ice-extent trend but different magnitudes, allowing inferences about changes in sea ice concentrations. The strong pattern of decreasing ice coverage in the Bellingshausen/Amundsen Seas and increasing coverage in the Ross Sea suggests changes in atmospheric circulation. The study also found that the Antarctic sea ice area trends were positive in each season, with the highest trend in autumn (25,800 ± 8300 km² yr⁻¹) and the lowest in spring. The study highlights the complexity of the Antarctic climate system and the need for further research to understand the causes of these changes. The results show that Antarctic sea ice variability is well-documented and has been examined in connection with other Earth-system phenomena, such as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Southern Annular Mode (SAM). The study concludes that while the changes in sea ice extent and area in the Antarctic since the late 1970s are well documented, their causes are not yet fully understood.This study presents satellite passive-microwave data from 1978 to 2010 showing that Antarctic sea ice cover has, on average, expanded since the late 1970s, with a positive trend of 17,100 ± 2300 km² yr⁻¹ in ice extent. The Ross Sea contributed the majority of this increase, while the Bellingshausen/Amundsen Seas experienced a significant decrease of -8200 ± 1200 km² yr⁻¹. When examined through the annual cycle over 32 years, the Southern Hemisphere sea ice cover showed positive trends in every month, with the highest trend in May (24,700 ± 10,000 km² yr⁻¹) and the lowest in February (9100 ± 6300 km² yr⁻¹). The ice-area trend had the same sign as the ice-extent trend but different magnitudes, allowing inferences about changes in sea ice concentrations. The strong pattern of decreasing ice coverage in the Bellingshausen/Amundsen Seas and increasing coverage in the Ross Sea suggests changes in atmospheric circulation. The study also found that the Antarctic sea ice area trends were positive in each season, with the highest trend in autumn (25,800 ± 8300 km² yr⁻¹) and the lowest in spring. The study highlights the complexity of the Antarctic climate system and the need for further research to understand the causes of these changes. The results show that Antarctic sea ice variability is well-documented and has been examined in connection with other Earth-system phenomena, such as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Southern Annular Mode (SAM). The study concludes that while the changes in sea ice extent and area in the Antarctic since the late 1970s are well documented, their causes are not yet fully understood.