Arctic Regional Synopsis
Regional charts and associated synopsis write-up capture ice and environmental conditions throughout the Arctic which are based on the U.S. National Ice Center’s weekly analysis. Charts and synopses are updated weekly on Fridays. Note: Baltic Sea analysis is provided by the Finnish Meteorological Institute. The Canadian Archipelago (Canada East, Canada North, Canada West, and Hudson Bay) analysis is provided by the Canadian Ice Service.
Regional Quick Access
Barents Sea
The pack ice in the northern Barents Sea drifted southward over the last 2 weeks, but air temperatures between 0°C and 4°C have continued to melt the edge. Small amounts of new ice were observed in the northeastern region. Analysis confidence: High- complete SAR coverage over AOI
Canada East
Barrow Strait and the western section of Lancaster Sound contain some multi-year ice and significant new ice. New ice is present along the southwestern coast of Greenland which is otherwise characterized by bergy water.
Canada North
Nares Strait is comprised of multi-year ice with some second-year ice. New and young continue to develop throughout the icepack. Multi-year ice continues to expand southwards into Baffin Bay to 75N. Nansen Sound contains multi-year ice and second year ice. Greely Fjord and Eureka Sound contain some multi-year ice and second-year ice with new and young ice continuing to form. The ice in and around Queen Elizabeth Islands is mostly multi-year, with some second-year ice present. New and young ice continue to develop throughout the area.
Canada West
The pack ice in Canada Basin consists mainly of multi-year ice with some second year ice in its eastern section and second year ice with some multi-year ice in its western section. Young ice and new ice are covering most of the western extent. The Beaufort Sea contains multi-year, second year, and young ice in open drift and close pack conditions. Areas of bergy water remain in the southern section with new ice covering most of the coastal area. The channels in and around the Queen Elizabeth Islands contain mostly multi-year ice, with some second year ice. New ice and young ice are covering areas where the pack ice has moved away from the coasts, particularly along the southern coast of the islands. M’Clure Strait contains mostly multi-year ice, with some second year ice present in very close pack conditions. The previously open drift of mostly multi-year and second year ice has persisted in Viscount Melville Sound and Barrow Strait, while the intervening areas have filled with new ice. Widespread areas of new ice forming in the region south of Bathurst Island. The area south of Cornwallis Island is covered with a mix of close pack multi-year, second year and new ice and bergy water. M’Clintock Channel contains a mix of multi-year ice and second year ice with some new ice forming between the floes in mostly close pack conditions except for the southeastern section of the channel where bergy water was still present. Peel Sound is mostly bergy water with very open drift multi-year, second year and new ice in the northwestern section of the sound. Coronation Gulf, Amundsen Gulf, and Queen Maud Gulf are bergy water.
Chukchi Sea
Abundant new ice growth has occurred throughout the Chukchi Sea, extending the pack ice edge southward over 237 NM. New ice growth evident within Kotzebue Sound, along the North Slope, and east of Utqiagvik. Analysis confidence: high - complete SAR coverage over AOI
East Siberian Sea
Significant new ice growth is evident along the pack ice edge, Russian coastline, and surrounding the Anzhu Islands. Young ice development has occurred south of the newly classified multiyear pack ice. Analysis confidence: high - total SAR coverage of East Siberian Sea
Greenland Sea
The Greenland Sea has experienced new growth at the ice edge and within the pack ice over the past 2 weeks. Air temperatures of -2°C are present adjacent to the coast as far south as central Greenland. Analysis confidence: High - complete SAR coverage over AOI
High Arctic
No synopsis write-up for the High Arctic as it remains consistent throughout this part of the year. A synopsis write-up will begin during summer months as ice retreats and becomes more dynamic in the region.
Hudson Bay
Hudson Bay, James Bay and Southern Foxe Basin are ice-free. Hudson Strait, Ungava Bay, Labrador Sea, Frobisher Bay, Cumberland Sound and Davis Strait contain bergy water.
Kara Sea
Trace amounts of new ice were observed in the northern portion of the Kara Sea within the Pyasina Gulf. The rest of the Kara Sea remains ice free. Analysis confidence: High- complete SAR coverage over AOI.
Laptev Sea
Abundant new ice development has occurred in the Laptev Sea due to below freezing air temperatures, 0°C to -14°C. New ice growth is evident along the Russian coastline and the pack ice edge, decreasing the open water along the Northern Sea Route. Analysis confidence: High - total SAR coverage of sea ice within the Laptev Sea
