Antarctic Winter Sea Ice Hits Third-Lowest Level

The ice around Antarctica in the winter reached its third-lowest point ever recorded.

Scientists measure this ice every year, and the amount this year was very small.

The ice usually grows in the winter and melts in the summer.

However, the planet is getting warmer, which means the water near Antarctica is warmer too.

This warmer water stops the ice from growing as much.

Less ice means the ocean absorbs more heat and could speed up rising sea levels, but it also could lead to more snowfall, which might help slow sea level rise.

The effects will depend on how long the warmer temperatures last.