Looks like the Northeast Passage is open.

[izquierdista]

According to the NSIDC's latest map, it looks as though the Northeast Passage has opened: http://nsidc.org/arcticseaicenews/
The same map on just 4 days ago still showed it blocked. And still two full months to go for the melt season.

[Jim Lane]

1. Not yet, but getting there.

The text states: "Both the Northwest Passage (through the channels of the Canadian Arctic Islands) and the Northern Sea Route (along the Siberian coast) are still choked with ice."

It also states, however, that the extent of the ice is less now than it was at this time in 2007, "which saw the record minimum September extent."

[MilesColtrane]

2. Looking at the map, I don't see that.

[izquierdista]

3. It was there yedsterday

The top map is updated daily and today (7/22) it still shows the East Siberian sea blocked, but yesterday, when I posted (map of 7/21), there was blue all along the coast. I'll bet there are ships already underway to do the Murmansk to Vladivostok summer run.