Arctic ice now melting even in winter. In a study conducted by the Centre for Polar Observation, satellite data collected by UK researcher Dr. Kathrine Giles has found that the ice has continued to thin during what is normally the winter season for the thickening in the Arctic.
 
Moreover, the cause of the melting is very alarming. Because the air temperature has been cold enough for the ice to freeze, the thinning ice through the winter is most likely due to warming waters or changes in the circulation of the ocean, meaning that the Arctic ice cap may disappear more quickly than originally predicted.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article5014744.ece