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
Over the past two weeks, a slight northward drift of the old ice in the Barents Sea created open water along the ice edge, allowing for new and young ice to form in areas where air temperatures were cold enough to support ice growth. The southern Barents Sea remains ice free. Analysis confidence: High - complete SAR coverage over AOI.
Bering Sea
Ice growth continues in Norton Sound and the Gulf of Anadyr, with new ice forming in Zaliv Korfa. Analysis confidence: High - complete SAR coverage.
Canada East
The Eastern Canada Basin contains multi-year ice, with some second-year ice present in the Peary and Sverdrup channels. New and young ice continues to develop throughout the ice pack. Multi-year ice is drifting southward into Baffin Bay and is nearing 71°N. Greely Fjord and Eureka Sound contain fast ice consisting of a mixture of multi-year and second year ice, with some first-year ice. A pack consisting primarily of first-year ice, with some multi-year, second-year, and young ice, is moving into Fram Sound via Hell Gate and Cardigan Strait. Barrow Strait and Lancaster Sound contain predominantly young ice with some multi-year ice and new ice. Davis Strait and Cumberland Sound contain bergy water. Foxe Basin is mostly ice-free in the interior and contains open water, and some new and young ice along the coasts. Some new and young ice is present along the coastal areas of Greenland.
Canada North
Nares Strait contains multi-year ice, along with some second-year ice and first-year ice. Jones Sound contains primarily young ice, with some multi-year ice and second-year ice. The Gulf of Boothia contains mostly new ice in the southern half, while the northern section contains new ice, young ice and some multi-year ice. Greely Fjord and Eureka Sound contain fast ice consisting of a mixture of multi-year and second year ice, with some first-year ice.
Canada West
Canada Basin’s eastern section comprises mostly multi-year ice (MYI) with some second-year ice (SYI) while its western section contains mostly SYI with some MYI and first-year ice (FYI). Both areas are characterized by very close pack (VCP) ice conditions. The northern Beaufort Sea contains a mixture of MYI, SYI, young ice (YI) and new ice (NI) in VCP conditions. The southern Beaufort Sea, along the Alaska, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut coastline, consists of significant YI and NI. In addition to this ice, a trace of MYI is present between 145° W and 131° W. Some bergy water remains present near the coast. The channels in and around the Queen Elizabeth Islands (QEI) contain mostly MYI with some SYI, FYI, YI and NI present. The ice in the majority of the QEI remains mobile in VCP conditions. M’Clure Strait and Barrow Strait contain mostly MYI with some SYI, FYI and YI in VCP conditions. M’Clintock Channel contains a mixture of MYI, SYI, FYI, YI and NI in VCP conditions. Peel Sound contains mostly YI with some MYI, SYI and FYI present in its extreme northern section. Queen Maud Gulf, Coronation Gulf and Amundsen Gulf contain YI and NI in close pack conditions. A trace of MYI is present in Queen Maud Gulf.
Chukchi Sea
Persistent frigid temperatures, around -10°C, have expanded the ice edge 200-250 NM southeastward of Wrangel Island, connecting to the Russian coastline. New and young ice development continues around coastal Alaska, most notably within protected inlets and bays. Analysis confidence: High - complete SAR coverage over AOI.
East Siberian Sea
Persistent below freezing air temperatures, around -10°C, have promoted consistent pack ice development throughout the East Siberian Sea. Lower concentrations remain near the Kolyma River Basin. Analysis confidence: High - complete SAR coverage of AOI.
Greenland Sea
The pack ice has drifted over 180 NM southward, through the Denmark Strait, since the previous analysis. New ice growth evident as far south as 60°N. 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 and young ice along the coasts. Hudson Bay and James Bay are predominantly ice-free except where new ice is developing along the shores of western Hudson Bay. New ice development extends south of Churchill. Davis Strait and Cumberland Sound contain bergy water. Frobisher Bay comprises mostly bergy water except where new ice has developed near Iqaluit. Hudson Strait, Ungava Bay and the Labrador Sea also contain bergy water.
Kara Sea
Extensive growth of new and young ice was observed along the Russian coast, especially in the southern portion of the Kara Sea. Analysis confidence: High- complete SAR coverage over AOI.
Laptev Sea
Significant ice growth and development has occurred in the Laptev Sea due to persistent below freezing air temepratures, around -10°C. Ice thickness and concentrations are lowest along the western portions of Khatanga Gulf, extending 75-90 NM from the Taymyr Peninsula. Young ice has begun fastening to the northern coastline of mainland Russia, especially near major river outflows. Analysis confidence: High - complete SAR coverage of the AOI.
Sea of Japan
New and developing young ice evident within the Tartar Strait. Analysis confidence: Low - cloudy visible imagery.
Sea of Okhotsk
Developing new and young ice evident in Sakhalin Gulf and Shelikhov Gulf. Analysis confidence: Moderate - a mix of SAR and visible imagery.
