Sea ice extent in the Chukchi Sea this winter is well above the average from the last three decades, according to climatologist Rick Thoman, APM reports.

“So far, Chukchi Sea ice is developing much quicker this year than it has in all recent years,” said Thoman, who works at the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Thoman has Chukchi Sea ice data going back to 1979. Current sea ice extent in Northern Alaska waters is the highest it’s been since November 2001, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center’s sea ice index.

Based on current forecast models, the entire Norton Sound could be covered in ice by the end of November.