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
In the Barents Sea, a notable drop in air temperatures has generated new and young sea ice growth along the ice edge as far south as Franz Josef Land. Analysis confidence: High- complete SAR coverage over AOI.
Bering Sea
Ice formation has been observed in Norton Sound, the Gulf of Anadyr, and northeast of Karaginsky Island in the vicinity of Tilichiki. Analysis confidence: High- complete SAR coverage or clear visible imagery over AOI.
Canada East
Eastern Canada Basin contains multi-year ice with some second-year ice. Greely Fjord and Eureka Sound contain some multi-year ice and second-year ice, with new and young ice continuing to develop. Jones Sound comprises of primarily young ice with some multi-year ice and second-year ice. Some new and young ice is present along the coastal areas of Greenland. Davis Strait, Cumberland Sound, and the Labrador Sea contain bergy water. Frobisher Bay has new ice forming near Iqaluit.
Canada North
Nares Strait contains multi-year ice with some second-year ice. New and young ice continues to develop throughout the ice pack. Some thin first year fast ice now exists in the northernmost fjords of Ellesmere Island. Multi-year ice is descending southwards into Baffin Bay to 73.5N. Gulf of Boothia is mostly bergy water in southern half and contains new ice, young ice and some multi-year ice northern section.
Canada West
Canada Basin comprises mostly multi-year ice with some second-year ice in the eastern section, transitioning to mainly second-year ice with some multi-year ice westwards. Young ice and new ice cover much of the southwest extent. The Beaufort Sea contains a mix of multi-year ice, second-year ice, young ice and new ice. New ice is developing along the coasts. The channels in and around the Queen Elizabeth Islands comprise mostly multi-year ice with some second-year ice. New ice and young ice continue to develop where the ice pack has moved away from the coast, particularly along the eastern shores of the islands. M’Clure Strait contains a very close pack of multi-year ice. Viscount Melville Sound and Barrow Strait contain a close pack composed mainly of multi-year ice, with some second-year and young ice. South of Cornwallis Island, a very close pack consists primarily of young and new ice, with some multi-year and second-year ice. M’Clintock Channel contains a very close to close pack of mixed multi-year, second-year, young, and new ice. Peel Sound contains mostly new ice and small amounts of grey ice with multi-year ice present in the northern section. Queen Maud Gulf is bergy water with new ice developing along the coast. Coronation Gulf and Amundsen Gulf are mostly bergy water except where new ice is developing along the southern coast. Barrow Strait and western Lancaster Sound contain multi-year ice, young ice and new ice.
Chukchi Sea
Decreasing air temperatures across the Chukchi Sea allowed for the ice edge to expand anywhere from 30 to 80 NM. New ice is beginning to develop along the Alaskan and Russian coasts, particularly in Kotzebue Sound and in vicinity of Utqiagvik. Analysis confidence: High- complete SAR coverage over AOI.
East Siberian Sea
Significant growth occurred in the central East Siberian Sea. Concentrations of 80-100% now extend from the pack ice in the high north to the coast. Much of the Russian coast is covered in new and young ice. Analysis confidence: High - complete SAR coverage over AOI.
Greenland Sea
In the Greenland Sea old ice has moved 315nm in the past 14 days. As the old ice moves south it melts and mixes with new sea ice. 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
Foxe Basin is mostly ice-free in the interior and contains open water and some new ice along the coasts. Southampton Island has new ice forming along its shores. Hudson Bay and James Bay remain ice-free. Hudson Strait and Ungava Bay contain bergy water.
Kara Sea
The ice edge has drifted southward, back into the Kara Sea North from the High Arctic. Analysis confidence: High- complete SAR coverage over AOI.
Laptev Sea
Steady ice growth continued across the Laptev Sea. The location of the ice edge did not change significantly, however, ice at the edge developed and increased in concentration. Ice growth accelerated along the coastline, with much of the eastern and central coast now covered in 10 - 50 NM of new and young ice. Analysis confidence: High - complete SAR coverage over AOI.
