Copernicus Sentinel-3 captured a wide-area view of West Antarctica on September 30, 2026, showcasing seasonal sea ice reaching its annual maximum extent across the Antarctic Peninsula and Weddell Sea as the southern hemisphere winter draws to a close.
Winter in the southern hemisphere is coming to an end, bringing Antarctica’s sea ice to its annual peak. According to data from the National Snow and Ice Data Center, sea ice for the continent’s winter season most likely reached its maximum extent on September 14, 2026. Weeks later, on September 30, 2026, the Copernicus Sentinel-3 mission captured an expansive view of the region, documenting ice packs wrapping around the Antarctic Peninsula and stretching into the adjacent waters.
Sentinel-3 Captures Maximum Sea Ice Extent Around the Antarctic Peninsula
The satellite imagery covers a massive territory measuring approximately 1,200 km by 1,700 km along the periphery of the Antarctic continent, which spans about 4,500 km across its main landmass. In the central portion of the frame, the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula is visible underneath partial cloud coverage. Sea ice completely engulfs this northern tip while extending outward into part of the Weddell Sea located east of the peninsula.
The imagery reveals striking variations in the frozen ocean surface. Esa notes that a variety of textures reflect different types of ice, ranging from tightly packed sheets on the right side of the image to large floes and smaller pieces that swirl across the open water.
Elephant Island and the Ice-Free Ocean Periphery
To the left of the main ice pack, Elephant Island stands out against the dark, ice-free ocean. Measuring about 50 km in length, the island serves as a geographic reference point within the frame. It sits roughly 930 km away from the tip of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego, an area that is not captured in the satellite frame.
While heavy white clouds obscure much of the lower portion of the image, the upper-right sector clearly shows massive floes comparable in size to Elephant Island itself. These large formations gradually break down into smaller fragments that create swirling patterns as they drift through the ocean current.