Friday, 9 June 2023 - Sea Ice for Walrus Outlook

Date: 9 June 2023

Assessment of Current Ice Conditions Relevant to Distribution and Access of Walrus

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Synopsis: A broad region of low pressure will remain in the south and central Bering Sea through the weekend. High pressure will build over the northern Chukchi Sea and high Arctic. These two features will bring easterly and northerly winds over the ice pack and ice edge.

Near St. Lawrence Island

The remaining sea ice around St. Lawrence Island is from east of Camp Iveetok and around the east side of the island. A large area of close pack ice consisting of small to big floes extends northeast from near Lietnik to Camp Kulowiye. This area of ice extends toward the Bering Strait and toward the outer part of Norton Sound. An area of open to close pack ice consisting of small to medium floes extends southeast from the east coast of the island up to 45 miles (72 km).

Nome

Sea ice is quickly spreading out as it melts in northwestern Norton Sound. There is an area of open pack ice consisting of small to medium floes that extends 7 miles (11 km) south of Nome. And area of open water beyond that extends to about 40 miles (64 km) south of Nome. Another area of open pack ice consisting of small to medium floes extends from east of Nome toward the southwest and southeast 50 to 60 miles (80 to 97 km).

Nome port entrance webcam (via AOOS webpage): https://bering-sea.portal.aoos.org/?ls=79875242-e362-65cb-914e-fed20ff9…

Brevig Mission/Port Clarence Area

The previously shorefast ice in the Port Clarence and Brevig Mission area extends 22 miles (35 km) southwest of Brevig Mission. An area of very open pack ice consisting of small to big floes extends another 10 miles (16 km) west of that previously shorefast ice, and a large area of close pack ice consisting of medium to vast floes extends another 22 miles (35 km) southwest from the area of open pack ice.

Wales to Shishmaref

The main area of sea ice is very close to consolidated pack ice that extends from near Ikpek to Espenberg, with open water beyond that. This area of sea ice extends up to 15 miles (24 km) from the Wales to Espenberg coastline and consists of medium to vast floes. There is also an area of open to close pack ice west of Wales, that extends from 8 miles (13 km) south of Diomede and 15 miles (24 km) west of Wales to south to St. Lawrence Island. This area of sea ice consists of small to big floes.

Diomede

The main area of open to close pack ice extends from 8 miles (13 km) south of Diomede and 15 miles (24 km) west of Wales to south to St. Lawrence Island. This area of sea ice consists of small to big floes. Open water extends from Diomede to Wales. There is also very open to open pack ice north of Diomede that consists of small to medium floes.

Forecast Discussion

Ice Forecast

For St. Lawrence Island, the area of close pack ice will generally drift south during periods of stronger winds, and move with the local currents as winds weaken. Also expect sea ice to spread out as it melts, creating some areas of higher concentration brash ice with more isolated big or vast floes within.

For the Nome area coastline through Brevig Mission, sea ice will continue to spread out as it melts outside of the Port Clarence/Brevig Mission area. During periods of southerly winds, the sea ice will drift toward the Nome coastline, but otherwise expect it to drift with the local tides and currents. The previously shorefast ice near Port Clarence will continue to melt in place through the week.

For Diomede, winds and local currents will keep the main area of sea ice south of Diomede moving quite a bit. It will likely spread out as it melts along the edges of the close to very close pack ice.

Wind Synopsis

Light and variable winds will continue through Friday outside of 5–15 kts (6–17 mph) southwest winds off the coast of Wales. Sustained winds pick up Saturday late morning out of the south to 15 to 25 kts (17–29 mph) with 25 to 35 kts (29–40 mph) along the southern side of the Seward Peninsula, gusting 30 to 40 kts (35–46 mph). These winds will persist until moving up the coast on Sunday morning and taper off for the evening. Monday will see increased winds from St. Lawrence Island to Wales around 15 to 25 kts (17–29 mph). After Monday, winds will be primarily 5 to 10 kts (6–11 mph) and variable winds direction next week.

Temperature Trend

St. Lawrence Island and Bering Strait will see temperatures in the mid to high 30s with lows in the upper 20s and low 30s, increasing through next week.

For Nome, temperatures will be in the upper 30s and low 40s with lows in the mid 20s and 30s, increasing through next week.

Diomede will see temperatures in the low to mid 30s with lows in the mid to upper 20s, increasing through next week.

Daily Weather, Wind, and Temperature Updates

The National Weather Service provides twice-daily, text only updates on the weather, wind, and temperature conditions in specific geographical zones. An interactive weather map for access to other Alaskan zones can be found here: http://weather.gov/anchorage/ice

Higher resolution satellite images and wind maps (wind updated daily) can be viewed here: http://www.weather.gov/afg/SIWO_overview

The Alaska Ocean Observing System shares a variety of weather and sea ice related resources in their Bering Sea Portal at https://bering-sea.portal.aoos.org/.
 

Marine forecast for the West Coast and Arctic Coast

Remote Sensing Images

Observations and Comments

Observations of Sea Ice Development

Additional Comments Provided by Local Experts and Other Contributors