Arctic Ice Hits Record Low

Researchers report the spread of arctic sea ice set a new record low for the second straight year.

The arctic is a polar region located at the northern most part of the earth. If you're looking at a map, the Arctic Ocean sits at the very top of the globe and is surrounded by land masses that include Alaska, Canada and Russia.

According to NASA, arctic temperatures were nearly 15 degrees higher than average this winter…And for the second straight year, the amount of arctic sea ice set a wintertime low. That's according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center.

Sea ice is frozen ocean water that melts each summer and refreezes each winter. It typically reaches its smallest "extent" in September, and largest in March of each year.

Scientists say the loss of arctic ice is the result of climate change... And less ice leads to higher arctic temperatures, which can impact weather around the world.