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Call for SEARCH Sea Ice Outlooks - July Report

June 30, 2009

Call for Sea Ice Outlooks
September 2009 Sea Ice Outlook: July Report
Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH)

Outlook Submission Deadline: Saturday, 4 July 2009

For further information about the Sea Ice Outlook, please go to:
http://www.arcus.org/search/seaiceoutlook

Or contact:
Jim Overland
Email: james.e.overland@noaa.gov

Or:
Hajo Eicken
Email: hajo.eicken@gi.alaska.edu

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Organizers of the Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH) Sea Ice
Outlook (SIO) are now soliciting outlooks for the July report. Regional
Outlooks are especially encouraged. The deadline for submissions is
Saturday, 4 July 2009. Further information about the SIO is available
at: http://www.arcus.org/search/seaiceoutlook.

SUBMITTING AN OUTLOOK
Outlook contributions should include:
1. Extent Projection
Provide a sea ice projection for the September monthly mean arctic sea
ice extent (in million square kilometers). For reference, the arctic sea
ice monthly mean extent for September 2008 was 4.7 million square
kilometers; in September 2007, it was 4.3 million square kilometers.

2. Methods / Techniques
Provide the type of estimate (heuristic, statistical, ice-ocean model
ensemble runs, etc.).

3. Rationale
Please include a short paragraph on the physical rationale for the
estimate. The organizers are also interested in perspectives on
ice/atmosphere dynamics.

Outlook submissions should be sent via email, with the word OUTLOOK in
the subject line, to:
Jim Overland
Email: james.e.overland@noaa.gov

REGIONAL OUTLOOK SUBMISSIONS
Regional Outlook submissions should include:
1. Region of Interest
While more specific sub-regions may be identified, at a minimum, please
specify which of the five main arctic regions the outlook applies to:
  	 - Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort Seas;
  	 - Northwest Passage (please specify the specific route);
  	 - Northeast Passage (Northern Sea Route);
  	 - Barents-Greenland Seas; or
  	 - High Arctic (north of 85N).

2. Estimate of the Ice Season Evolution
Provide an estimate of the ice season evolution (including prevalent or
expected ice types) from now to the time of the summer sea ice minimum
in September. Please indicate whether you expect ice conditions to be
lighter or heavier than those of last summer (2008). Ice condition
assessment categories are:
	i. Light Ice Conditions - Melt onset is earlier than normal, ice
	retreat is more rapid than normal, and / or ice concentrations over
	the course of the season are below average. Ideally, the outlook
	would be more specific about which of these applies and also
	indicate whether the assessment references a specific activity, such
	as different types of ship traffic, subsistence hunting, etc.
	ii. Medium Ice Conditions - Neither heavy nor light ice concentrations.
	iii. Heavy Ice Year - Melt onset is later than normal, ice retreat
	is slower than normal, and / or ice concentrations over the course
	of the season are above average. Ideally, the outlook would be more
	specific about which of these applies.

3. Assessment of the Timing of Freeze-up
	i. What is your general assessment of the timing of freeze-up?
	ii. Will the onset of ice formation in the fall be earlier or 
later than normal?
	iii. Are any anomalies anticipated in the regional pattern of 
freeze-up?

4. Outline of Methods / Techniques (Optional)
	i. What is the regional outlook based on (statistical model,
	heuristic approach, traditional knowledge, etc.)?

5. Improving Outlook Accuracy (Optional)
	i. What information would be needed to improve the accuracy 
of your Regional Outlook?

Regional Outlook submissions should be sent via email, with the words
REGIONAL OUTLOOK in the subject line, to:
Hajo Eicken
Email: hajo.eicken@gi.alaska.edu

The submission deadline for the July report is Saturday, 4 July 2009.

Further information about the Sea Ice Outlook is available at the
website: http://www.arcus.org/search/seaiceoutlook.

Or by contacting:
Jim Overland, Core Integration Group Lead
Email: james.e.overland@noaa.gov

Hajo Eicken, Core Integration Group
Email: hajo.eicken@gi.alaska.edu

Helen Wiggins, Sea Ice Outlook Central Office
Email: helen@arcus.org