Latest figures released by the European Cyrosat mission have revealed that there was a big reduction n the thickness of marine ice in the autumn season. It has shown that the thickness reduced by a third for the years 2010-2012, compared to the figures available for 2003-2008.

 However, even with the reduction in winter only being around 9% over the same period they have said that it’s too soon to see a trend developing, so it looks like we need to keep hold of those winter jackets for a few more years at least. The reduction in ice thickness isn’t happening across the whole area but in particular from a region to the north of Greenland and the Canadian archipelago.

 It should be noted that as the project progresses over time, more data will be available to the researchers involved and more accurate assessments can be given.

 The Cyrosat satellite is using advanced radar to determine any difference in height between the top of the ice and the water between the floes. This allows the researchers to work out the thickness of the ice. However, they are taking it a stage further by then multiplying this by the area the ice covers which, as even my schoolboy maths knows, gives us the volume. This volume figure will give the best assessment of what changes occur now and in the future.

 So will we need new homes for the Polar Bears and other inhabitants of the Northern Polar regions, and will we need new improved waterproofs, well only time will tell but at least we can get waterproof jackets, so check them out and see what bargains are currently on offer.