The modified NSIDC  image above shows the maximum possible amount of multi-year ice (MYI) we could have in spring 2011. It assumes that all of the 2+ year old ice from the end of July remained intact.

The actual amount will be less. Some has already melted and more will melt in the North Atlantic over the winter.

Compare potential 2011 MYI vs. end of March, 2010 MYI in the blink comparator below.

Depending on the wind this winter, we could see a large increase in MYI in 2011 relative to spring 2010. The 2010 MYI image was generated by removing all of the ice less than two years old (turquoise) from the modified NSIDC image below.