JAXA ARCTIC SEA ICE EXTENT DATA AS AT 1st March 13,759,813 km2. Up again - by 32k, a greater than average increase for this time of year. Extent is just 120k less than the 2017 maximum on 6th March. On average, 14 days, 1.4% and 0.14 million of extent gain to go, leading to a maximum of 13.89 million, i.e. to all intents and purposes the same as 2017.
But 2018 extent still in its lonely furrow, 42k less than 2017, but likely to be second to 2015 for a bit very soon.
Look at 2012 - on Mar 1st 0.77 million greater extent than 2018, and about to go a lot higher (for about two weeks in April was above the 30 year average used by NSIDC). And yet produced the record low in 6 months.
Also attach a table of differences over the years. 1.8 million km2 less winter ice than in the 1980's. The decline in winter ice is still gradual.