2018 started a clear downward trend, losing extent for five consecutive days:
Date SIE (km2) Change
Mar 27, 2018 13,700,128 36,579
Mar 28, 2018 13,681,496 -18,632
Mar 29, 2018 13,674,556 -6,940
Mar 30, 2018 13,652,018 -22,538
Mar 31, 2018 13,625,158 -26,860
Apr 01, 2018 13,586,994 -38,164
2018 is now the third lowest on record:
Year SIE (km2) VS 2018
2015 13,638,921 51,927
2006 13,610,775 23,781
2018 13,586,994 0
2017 13,562,063 -24,931
2016 13,461,256 -125,738 (the lowest)
In order to be 2018 the lowest on record by April 15th, it will need to have an average daily drop of a little more than -33,420 km2.