Scientists reported that with the Artic Sea ice having commenced its annual autumn recovery, this summer's melt of the ice has not been as prominent as in the last two years. The ice covered 5.10 million sq km (1.97 million sq miles) at its smallest extent this summer, on 12th September, larger than the minima in the last two years. This left 2007's record low of 4.1 million sq km (1.6 million sq miles) intact.

However, it has been noted by the scientists that the long-term trend is still a downward one.

The ice covered 24% less ocean, noted the scientists at this year's minimum, than for the 1979-2000 average.

Satellite readings, at the US National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) at Boulder, Colorado, helped in compiling the analysis.

The foremost reason for less drastic melt was the cooler Arctic temperatures this year, along with winds that helped disperse sea ice across the region.

As per NSIDC scientist Walt Meier, the reasons for the somewhat cooler temperatures this year were not entirely clear yet.

He said: "We had cloudier conditions and low pressure zones in late summer that probably helped keep temperatures down. It's something we need to look at in more detail. But it certainly wasn't as warm as 2007, which was in the order of 2-3C warmer than the average in a lot of places."