Arctic sea ice reached its annual maximum extent on February 25, 15 days earlier than the 1981-2010 average date and one of the earliest dates in the four-decade satellite record. This year's sea ice maximum was the 10th lowest on record, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC). However, an early start to the melt season does not necessarily set up a low September minimum, as the summer melt and fall minimum are heavily dependent on weather. The long-term trend shows dramatic losses for the annual minimums and slight losses for the annual maximums, with all 10 of the lowest annual extent maximums posted since 2006.