Temperatures of +21C above normal in Dec/Jan in the eastern Arctic. Parts of Hudson Bay remain unfrozen
This NASA image shows average Arctic sea ice concentration for January 2011. Blue indicates open water; white indicates high sea ice concentrations; and turquoise indicates loosely packed sea ice. The yellow line shows the average sea ice extent for January from 1979 through 2000.
The U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) has reported that Arctic sea ice was at its lowest extent ever recorded for January (since satellite records began).
I’ve written about why this is happening and the consequences several times in recent weeks — Stephen
Arctic Defrost Dumping Snow on U.S. and Europe
Arctic Melt Down Is Bringing Harder Winters and Permanently Altering Weather Patterns
East Coast Blizzard and Europe’s Snowmaggddon Reveal Fingerprints of Climate Change
Stephen Leahy, International Environmental Journalist 
what will this mean for ice extent late this summer?
Could be another record low – almost certainly another record low volume since the ice is taking so long to freeze up. Volume or thickness is what really determines extent of ice loss along with warming air/water temps
My last story for IPS explains what’s going on: Arctic Defrost Dumping Snow on U.S. and Europe
https://stephenleahy.net/2011/02/03/arctic-defrost-dumping-snow-on-u-s-and-europe/
If we do not see the lows of 2007 this year, most likely next year- 2012 James Hansen has said will be very hot.
hybridsun-
Where did you find that Hansen predicted a hot 2012? I am very interested, as the weather plays a significant role in my job as a golf course superintendent.
Patrick, I believe Hansen said because there is a La Nina (cooling of Pacific) right now and likely until May, 2011 is unlikely to be really warm year globally. Without a La Nina and the fact that the sun is coming out of solar min this year likely means 2012 will set a record for warmth. Again this is globally, it does not mean that some parts of the world won’t be cooler than normal.
http://climateprogress.org/2010/10/01/hansen-extreme-events-2010-2012-record-high-global-temperature/
Patrick
Stephen is right. Also, if I may add, we are coming out of a fairly long solar minimum. Which could also give temperatures a pop in 2012.
Just heard that the Republican House voted to NOT give the EPA the power to regulate greenhouse gases. We are in BIG TROUBLE!!!!!! In other words, start building and arc, and fastedn your seat belt, cause things are really going to start warming up really fast…..
Well it get’s worse in the US. The House has also voted to cut all funding for the IPCC. Tea Party anti-science extremists were behind it of course. http://bit.ly/eWCC1y
US only put in $2-3 million so IPCC will survive even if the Senate and Obama let the amendment pass.