Status: The 2020 SIWO season began on Friday, 27 March. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/seaiceforwalrus for more discussion.
To share comments or images about the conditions in your area, send them to Lisa Sheffield Guy (lisa [at] arcus.org) or join the conversation on the SIWO Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/seaiceforwalrus.
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The Sea Ice for Walrus Outlook (SIWO) is a resource for Alaska Native subsistence hunters, coastal communities, and others interested in sea ice and walrus. The SIWO provides weekly reports during the spring sea ice season with information on weather and sea ice conditions relevant to walrus in the northern Bering Sea and southern Chukchi Sea regions of Alaska.
The Outlooks are produced with information on weather and sea ice conditions provided by the National Weather Service - Alaska Region and Alaska Native sea ice experts. SIWO is managed by the Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S. (ARCUS), in partnership with the Eskimo Walrus Commission, the National Weather Service, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and local observers. Funding for SIWO is provided to ARCUS by the National Science Foundation's Division of Arctic Sciences (PLR-1928794).
Click the name of each community below to view more frequently updated and detailed information from the National Weather Service.
Synopsis A broad low pressure over the southern Bering will dissipate while a stronger northwest Pacific low pressure will weaken in place through Monday.
Satellite imagery from the evening of Wednesday, May 20th and morning of Thursday, May 21st shows the shorefast ice on the north side of the island remains intact especially from Savoonga eastward, extending up to 7 miles offshore. From Gambell to Kangee Camp, shorefast ice extends from about 1 miles to 3 miles offshore. Between Kangee Camp and Savoonga, there is an area of very close pack ice with medium to vast floes with a bit of open water just west of Savoonga. South of the island is ice free and west of the island is open water. Savoonga east to approximately 10 miles east of Camp Kulowiye and north to the Bering Strait is generally very close pack ice consisting of big to giant floes.
Shorefast ice is rapidly deteriorating in this area. From Nome to Port Safety there is very open pack ice with small floes that extends up to 3 miles offshore. Some shorefast ice remains around Port Safety, extending one-half mile offshore. Open water extends from Solomon to Port Safety up to 4 miles offshore. Otherwise the surrounding area is close pack ice consisting of big to vast floes.
Shorefast ice extends approximately 35 miles to the west of Brevig Mission. Beyond the shorefast ice is open water.
Ice around Wales remains shorefast 1 to 3 miles offshore. Near Mugisitokiwik to Ikpek there is consolidated pack ice with medium to vast floes anywhere from 15 to 30 miles offshore. About 15 miles offshore Shishmaref, there is an area of open pack ice to the northwest. Otherwise, compact pack ice consisting of big to giant floes covers the rest of the surrounding area.
Sea ice remains shorefast between Little Diomede and Big Diomede Island. There is very close pack ice to the east and north of both islands with medium to vast floes. To the south and west, an area of very open pack ice exists with small to medium floes.
Sea ice will generally continue to drift southward to southwestward through Thursday the 28th. During times of light and variable winds, sea ice will generally move by local currents. Existing polynyas will continue to expand southwestward as well through the next week.
NWS 5-day Sea Ice Forecast
NWS Sea Ice Concentration Analysis
Northeast winds 10 to 15 kt (11 to 17 mph) on Friday, May 22nd will increase to 20 to 25 kt (23 to 29 mph) on Saturday, May 23rd from St. Lawrence Island through the Bering Strait. The strong winds from St. Lawrence Island to the Bering Strait will diminish on Monday, May 25th, with winds becoming variable 5 to 10 kt (5 to 11 mph) across the region on Monday. Winds will shift to the southeast 10 to 15 kt (11 to 17 mph) Tuesday, May 26th with little change through Wednesday, May 27th. Winds will become variable 5 to 10 kt (5 to 11 mph) on Thursday, May 28th and persist into Friday, May 29th.
High temperatures from Friday, May 22nd through Friday, May 29th will be in the mid 30's to near 40 degrees across St. Lawrence Island and from the Bering Strait northward. Daytime temperatures ranging from the mid 40's to lower 50's are expected along the southern Seward Peninsula from Teller to Nome. Overnight low temperatures will be in the lower 30's from St. Lawrence Island and from Bering Strait northward, but in the upper 30's to lower 40's along the southern Seward Peninsula.
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
In this location, you will find comments about ice development based on information provided by local ice experts and other researchers based on ground observations and satellite images.
Additional comments and images are regularly posted to the SIWO Facebook page.
21 May 2020 – Clarence Irrigoo, Jr.
Nobody this week went boating, we're having high wind from the northeast. The ice from other side is coming out and getting smaller.
22 May 2020 – Marty Eeleengayouq Ozenna
South side opened up a lot and the north side pushing south, and the middle finally broke before I went up took this picture, also next nice weather boats be in the water.
Sea ice conditions in Diomede - view 1.
Sea ice conditions in Diomede - view 2.
Sea ice conditions in Diomede - view 3.
22 May 2020 – Curtis Nayokpuk
Thick fog again this AM. Thin ice rotting fast with rain last couple days. No Ice map for northern Seward Peninsula but see one (Polar View 5/21/2020) for Norton Bay.
Polar View Satellite Image
View from East Beach in Shishmaref.
View from North Beach in Shishmaref.
22 May 2020 – Marcus Barr
Still lots of shorefast ice, it’s getting thin though and the cracks are really wide now.
Photos coming soon!
22 May 2020 – Aqef Waghiyi
Nobody went boating since last week. Not much open water, lots of shore ice packed in. Thick fog too. Windy, north at 12mph.
22 May 2020 – Robert Tokeinna, Jr.
These past two weeks have been cool and breezy with ice fog now and again. Lots of birds and ducks passing. I am unsure if any boats have gone out hunting, but it's been cool and breezy for the most part of the 14 days. Ice has been steady and seems to be anchored well, but other neighboring villages have reported of ice moving and cracks getting wider. I have no photos and should be getting one soon. It will depend if this ice fog lightens and lifts. Mostly northerly winds and temperatures in between 20s and 30s in Wales these past few weeks. No change to that in the near future, but remain optimistic for warmer sunshiney weather soon. We are still closed due to COVID-19. Neighboring community hunters are encouraged to bring enough gas and food for your travels as Wales is still in the hunkering down and social distancing. Two weeks we will be looking at our travel options for the community of Wales.
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Bering Strait satellite image  |
Wales to Shishmaref satellite image  |
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St. Lawrence Island satellite image  |
Additional resources for satellite imagery and weather are available here.
