Recent mapping and a figure showing Arctic sea ice extent by the NSIDC indicate a sharp turn to slower growth (almost flat), which fits with a discussion given in a recent (Nov. 10) article by NSDIC:

"Arctic sea ice and climate are behaving in ways not seen before in the satellite record both in the rate and extent of ice loss during the spring and summer, and in the record ice growth rates and increased Arctic air heating during the fall and winter."

That "sea ice and climate are behaving in ways not seen before in the satellite record" is alarming many scientists.

Also in the NSDIC article:

"In the past five years, the Arctic has shown a pattern of strong low-level atmospheric warming over the Arctic Ocean in autumn because of heat loss from the ocean back to the atmosphere. Climate models project that this atmospheric warming, known as Arctic amplification, will become more prominent in coming decades and extend into the winter season. As larger expanses of open water are left at the end of each melt season, the ocean will continue to hand off heat to the atmosphere."

Who is not alarmed by this turn in events???

Recommend going to NSIDC article and figure on sea ice extent at:

http://nsidc.org/arcticseaicenews/