[SIDENET]

Ice melting?

What about THIS?

There was a FR thread about this, but I couldn't locate it.

[dr_lew]

Yes that's interesting. Here's the MODIS TERRA view of the Vilkitsky Strait on 8/26/07. The western end of it is visible at top center through the opening in the clouds with some scattered sea ice. The eastern end is obscured by clouds. This region is perpetually cloudy, it would seem, as you'll see if you search through the MODIS images.

Note also, though, that the sea is largely clear of ice. This strait is a problem, I would guess, due to the presence of the Severnaya Zemlya ( North Land ) - the chain of large islands above the strait. You can see the mini-icecaps on them through the clouds.