The sea ice in the Bering Sea is at very low levels, already in retreat when usually in March is when the ice is at its largest extent. This is part of a broader trend and one of the ramifications of a warming arctic. Sea ice now freezes later in the year, melts earlier, is not as thick, there is less multiyear ice and the extent of the sea ice is lessening. Less ice means decreased albedo which is reflecting sun energy back into space. This allows the ocean to absorb more sunlight heat energy furthering the warming of the arctic as well as contributing to more severe weather events.