Sea Ice for Walrus Outlook

Update

Status: The 2020 SIWO ended on Friday, 12 June and will resume in spring 2021. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/seaiceforwalrus for more discussion. An evaluation of the SIWO will be conducted in mid to late 2021 to determine what we are doing right and where we need improvement—stay tuned for details on how you can participate in the evaluation!

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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Overview

Sea Ice for Walrus Outlook

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).

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

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12 June 2020 - Current Conditions:

Click the name of each community below to view more frequently updated and detailed information from the National Weather Service.

Synopsis High pressure will gradually move eastward across the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas through Monday.

Near St. Lawrence Island

The only remaining sea ice around St. Lawrence Island is northeast of the island, generally between Camp Iveetok and just east of Camp Kulowiye, extending up to 65 miles from the coast. This is close to very close pack ice consisting of medium to vast floes.

Nome

This area is now sea ice free and the outlook season has concluded.

Brevig Mission/Port Clarence Area

This area is now sea ice free and the outlook season has concluded.

Wales to Shishmaref

Very close pack ice to consolidated ice consisting of medium to vast floes extends up to 13 miles offshore from Wales to Espenberg. Beyond that sea ice, it is mainly open water in this region.

Diomede

This area is now sea ice free and the outlook season has concluded.

Forecast Discussion

Ice Forecast

Expect continued thinning of the pack ice and areas of open water to continue to expand around St. Lawrence Island and the Wales to Shishmaref coastline. During periods of light winds, sea ice movement will be dependent on local currents. During the periods of northerly winds, sea ice will generally drift southward up to 15 miles through Thursday, June 18th.

NWS 5-day Sea Ice Forecast

NWS Sea Ice Concentration Analysis

Wind Synopsis

Friday, June 12th expect winds to be from the Southwest at 4-9 kts (5-10 mph) becoming Northeast 2-7 kts (3-8 mph) by Saturday, June 13th in the early morning. Then increase from the North 9-13 kts (10-15 mph) by Saturday, June 13th's afternoon. The wind will back to northwest on Monday, June 14th and continue through to Wednesday, June 17th's morning at 9-13 kts (10-15 mph). Thursday, June 18th the wind will shift to the northeast and increase to 9-17 kts (10-20 mph) through Friday, June 19th.

Temperature Trend

Maximum temperatures will range from the mid-40s to lower 50s for the week of June 12th through June 19th. Minimum temperatures will range from the mid-30s to lower 40s for the week of June 12th through June 19th.

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

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

Observations of Sea Ice Development

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.

Current Outlook Observations

Observations from Gambell

11 June 2020 – Clarence Irrigoo, Jr.

No boats went out this week because of heavy fog and wind.
Observations from Port Clarence and Brevig Mission

12 June 2020 – Marcus Barr

Fog rolled in by the time I was able to take pictures after work. But, for the last report of the season, no more ice in or around Brevig. Locals got their bearded seal and only couple boats got one walrus each, only in the water. Another boat recently got one walrus but it was near Nome. Locals had been traveling up north of Wales for game, but there had been nothing on the ice.
Observations from Diomede

11 June 2020 – Marty Eeleengayouq Ozenna

Here are a few photos of ice conditions in Diomede.

Nearshore conditions in Diomede - view 1

Nearshore conditions in Diomede - view 2

Nearshore conditions in Diomede - view 3
Observations from Shishmaref

12 June 2020 – Curtis Nayokpuk

Hunters limited to 2-3 miles from shoreline due to crowded pack ice. Bearded Seal season very slow and poor for community with boat travel blocked by ice and thick fog daily, no game around, even common seals left the area. Spotted seals showing up down west coast signaling end of ice conditions.

Nearshore ice conditions in Shishmaref looking northeast.

Nearshore ice conditions in Shishmaref looking north.

Nearshore ice conditions in Shishmaref looking west.
Observations from Nome

11 June 2020 – Boogles Johnson

There is no longer visible ice in the Nome area, our spring hunting season has come to a close. Last weekend there were a few hunters out who spotted ribbon seals. Ribbon seals indicate that the migration of the seals, bearded seals, and walrus have gone through the Norton Sound. They are generally the last of the ice seals to migrate through the region.
Observations from Savoonga

16 June 2020 – Aqef Waghiyi

No ice since a day after the last report and last week, Wednesday, few boats had went towards east end of the island to the little bit of ice that was left about 45 miles east and no luck, no walrus. Day after that, two boats went 70 to 80 miles north and got walrus. They told me King Island was 25 to 30 miles east northeast of them.