March.
During winter, the Southern Ocean sea ice freezes, essentially doubling the size of Antarctica. The extent of the sea ice is about 17 to 20 million square kilometers.
There is a sea but it is solid ice
The trend in Arctic summer ice has been to set records for low ice extents.The NSIDC (National Snow and Ice Date Center) publishes monthly "Arctic Sea Ice News and Analysis". Some quotes from their website reveal the facts:A press release in October 2009 began:"At the end of the Arctic summer, more ice cover remained this year than during the previous record-setting low years of 2007 and 2008. However, sea ice has not recovered to previous levels. September sea ice extent was the third lowest since the start of satellite records in 1979, and the past five years have seen the five lowest ice extents in the satellite record."26 August, 2008Arctic sea ice dips below second-lowest recordIn late August, sea ice extent fell below the 2005 minimum, the second-lowest extent recorded since the dawn of the satellite era.8 September, 2009Winds cause sea ice to spread in AugustAtmospheric circulation patterns in August helped spread out sea ice, slowing ice loss in most regions of the Arctic. NSIDC scientists expect to see the minimum ice extent for the year in the next few weeks. While this year's minimum ice extent will probably not reach the record low of 2007, it remains well below normal: average ice extent for August 2009 was the third-lowest in the satellite record. Ice extent has now fallen below the 2005 minimum, previously the third-lowest extent in the satellite record.7 September, 2010End of summer approaches for Arctic sea iceArctic sea ice generally reaches its annual minimum extent in mid-September. This August, ice extent was the second lowest in the satellite record, after 2007. On September 3, ice extent dropped below the seasonal minimum for 2009 to become the third lowest in the satellite record
Probably September, since its greatest extent is in June and it hasn't melted. In February, the sea ice has melted by exposure to sun 24/7, and has not yet frozen over.
Your answer depends on the time of year when you want to measure the ice. In winter, the sea ice freezes and almost doubles the size of the Antarctic continent. The edges of the ice are ragged and change, depending on the action of the liquid sea.
During winter, the sea ice of the Southern Ocean freezes to the extent that it appears to double the size of Antarctica.
Antarctica's melting ice will flow into the sea. This will raise sea levels around the world. There is enough ice on Antarctica to raise sea levels by 60 metres (200 feet).
Essentially, continents do not 'grow', but sea levels can drop, thus expanding the visible land. However, in the case of Antarctica, 98% of it is covered with an ice sheet. During the winter, the Southern Ocean freezes, and the sea ice attaches itself to the continental ice sheet. This, apparently, can 'double' the size of the continent, when, in fact, it is simply a way to describe the extent of the ice.
Any water in Antarctica forms into ice, either sea ice or fresh-water ice.
The extent of sea ice varies seasonally and annually due to changes in temperature, solar radiation, and ocean currents. In polar regions, sea ice typically reaches its maximum in winter and minimum in summer. Over the past few decades, however, climate change has led to a significant decline in both Arctic sea ice extent and thickness, resulting in longer melt seasons and decreased ice coverage. This shift impacts global weather patterns and marine ecosystems, highlighting the interconnectedness of climate systems.
Arctic sea ice has been decreasing over the last 30 years at a significant rate due to climate change. The extent of Arctic sea ice has been declining, with the minimum ice extent in September shrinking each year. This trend is linked to rising global temperatures and is a clear sign of the impact of climate change on the Arctic region.
Antarctica's sea ice gets its colour from the algae that bloom under it after the sun comes up; frozen to the under side of the sea ice, it appears brown.