Assessment of Current Ice Conditions Relevant to Distribution and Access of Walrus
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Synopsis – Weak low pressure will exist over much of the Chukchi Sea through the mainland. High pressure remains over the Arctic.
Near St. Lawrence Island
Please note that the most recent imagery we have for this area is the afternoon of June 7th. There is shorefast ice along the north side of St. Lawrence Island between Camp Iveetok and Camp Kulowiyi extending 1 to 3 miles offshore. Beyond the shorefast ice on the north side of the island is close pack ice consisting of ice cakes to medium floes, along with brash ice extending up to approximately 80 miles to the northeast beyond the shorefast ice. There is also open to close pack ice consisting of brash ice along the north coast west of Camp Iveetok as well as along the west side of the island. South and east of the island is sea ice free water.
Nome
The outlook is finished for the season for this area.
Brevig Mission/Port Clarence Area
The only sea ice remaining in this area is along the coast near Brevig Mission extending up to one mile offshore. It is open pack ice consisting of brash ice.
Wales to Shishmaref
Previously shorefast ice extends up to 2.5 miles from the coast. This ice is showing signs of melting in place, so it is now considered compact pack ice although much of it is likely still fast to the shore/ocean floor. Beyond the shorefast ice is consolidated to compact ice consisting of medium to giant floes extending 20 to 45 miles north from near Shishmaref to Espenberg, then open pack ice to open water beyond that. To the west and northwest of Wales is generally sea ice free water.
Diomede
The outlook is finished for the season for this area.
Forecast Discussion
Ice Forecast
Sea ice will generally move to the north to northwest, although in some areas it will move with local ocean currents. Overall, sea ice in the Bering Strait region is melting quickly and the melting will be more significant than any amount of drifting in the next week.
Wind Synopsis
Friday, June 11th southeast wind 10 to 15 Kts (11-17 mph) becoming northeast 10 to 15 Kts (11-17 mph) early Saturday, June 12th. Wind will shift back to the southeast at 10 to 15 Kts (11-17 mph) Sunday, June 13th. Wind will shift to the southwest 10 to 15 Kts (11-17 mph) on Wednesday, June 16th and continue through Friday, June 18th.
Temperature Trend
From Friday, June 11th through Friday, June 18th, high temperatures will range in the upper 30s to lower 40s. Low temperatures in the mid to upper 30s. Very little trending in temperatures through the period.
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
Remote Sensing Images
Observations and Comments
Observations of Sea Ice Development
Observations from Shishmaref
Tuesday, 8 June 2021 – Curtis Nayokpuk
Woke up to 4 inches of snow over nite! North winds and assume high tide (into Kotz Sound) drove loose pack ice back in closing opens leads from past weeks southerly winds. All crews who launched a few boats last few days back in town and report very slow hunting of Bearded Seals with end of ice at or near "Ikpik" between Shishmaref and Wales.
Morning pic and today's Polar View.
Observations from Savoonga
Thursday, 10 June 2021 – Aqef Waghiyi
Past couple days we went boating and got only bull walrus. One or two boats got female and young walrus. Both days we went out 18-20 miles. Some boats went as far as 40 miles. Today I guess a couple boats went out. Maybe by next week we’ll have no more ice.
Observations from Gambell
Friday, 11 June 2021 – Clarence Irrigoo, Jr.
Some hunters from Gambell are still going out getting walrus and games. Heard the killer whales are around and push the game farther.
Observations from Port Clarence and Brevig Mission
Friday, 11 June 2021 – Marcus Barr
Ice near Brevig went out and hunters are going out boating. I heard of couple boats got walrus but ones that were swimming. More boaters took off yesterday
Observations from Diomede
Friday, 11 June 2021 – Marty Eeleengayouq Ozenna
We've been pretty ice free and 3 days ago we had 3 pods of killer whales swim and pass by no game been empty like all the game passing along the coast all year barely see any kind of game just birds. Notice around no game swimming by, yet bad year for spring hunting in Diomede, again no meat in the freezers.