Antarctic Regional Synopsis
Regional charts and associated synopsis write-up capture ice and environmental conditions throughout the Antarctic which are based on the U.S. National Ice Center’s weekly analysis. Charts and synopses are updated weekly on Fridays.
Amery Region
Cold temperatures have continued to expand the ice edge extent over 15 NM northward. Many openings have formed off the coast and have completely become covered in new ice.
Amundsen Sea
The ice edge expanded northward by 30-80 NM across the Amundsen Sea. Frigid temperatures along the coast allowed for any areas of blowout to quickly fill in with new and young ice.
Bellingshausen Sea
New ice growth in concentration is visible beyond last analysis in areas near the coast of Graham Land, Graham Coast and Loubet Coast.
Ross Sea
Most of the ice edge stayed close to where it was 2 weeks ago, with the exception of the edge near the Wilks Land Region that expanded almost 100NM northward. Katabatic winds from the Ross Ice Shelf continue pushing young ice northward.
Weddell Sea East
To the west, cold temperatures have resulted in significant new ice formation, with ice edge expansion of over 100NM. To the east, northward ice formation is much more limited, though development continues. Cold coastal temperatures support the rapid development of new and young ice in polynyas and the expansion of several areas of fast ice.
Weddell Sea West
To the west, cold temperatures have resulted in significant new ice formation, with ice edge expansion of over 100NM. To the east, northward ice formation is much more limited, though development continues. Cold coastal temperatures support the rapid development of new and young ice in polynyas and the expansion of several areas of fast ice.
Wilkes Land Region
The ice edge in the Wilkes Land region expanded northward. Ice continued to thicken throughout the region and areas of blowout have filled in with new and young ice. Areas of fast ice along the coast have expanded.
