Icebergs and Open Sea

Observation by Sharon Nayokpuk:

We had a huge ice pile all along the ocean beach shoreline. Today February 6, 2019, we have very strong south winds and it took out all the sea ice but the icebergs in front of our island stayed.

Andrew Kakoona writes:

It was the highest ice pile up (20’) I have ever seen. It got pretty close to the edge of the road. We were glad it did not go further. Parents have talked to their kids about how unsafe it is. There is still open water off shore. Usually we would be on the ice this time of year, traveling up and down the coast. Spring hunting should start in May. We don’t see any polar bears anymore because there is no ice. Used to have them come off the ice, walk down front street, poke around dump. Now there is no ice, so they don’t come anymore. Last five years we have had brown bears come to town. That is new. We have even had a brown bear watch. They are looking for food. It could be dangerous for kids.

Olivia Lee, Research Assistant Professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, writes:

The trend towards warmer fall and winter temperature in the Bering Sea in recent years is affecting the timing of sea ice formation, and potential sea ice thickness (see attached image of sea surface temperature anomalies. Longer open water periods (related to warmer sea surface waters) allow sea ice greater mobility to move in response to the wind. The images and descriptions of the piled ice onshore emphasize the role of wind-driven events that push ice formed offshore on to the coast. The occurrence of the south wind associated with the break-out event highlights that most of the landfast ice was not stable or grounded, and therefore could be more easily broken off. The greater open water seasons will allow wind direction to play an important role in future ice push events along exposed coasts. It would be interesting to know if strong or consistent north winds are linked to when large ice piles form on the coast. The mean winds in January around Shishmaref have shown a trend towards weaker north winds in 2012 to 2019, compared to 1991 to 2011. Monitoring of changing landfast ice is a developing interest to the global Arctic community 2018 Arctic Report Card, with much variability across the Arctic, and great opportunities to establish observing collaborations with local experts

Comments from LEO Editors:

Unusual ice conditions are also occurring in Utqiagvik. Recorded by the Alaska Arctic Observatory and Knowledge Hub (AAOKH), observer Billy Adams submitted photos of an unusual ice breakout that impacted safe travel, hunting, wildlife management, among others.

Alaska Climate Specialist, Rick Thoman described winter storm and ice impacts in an interview with KNOM radio. He says that areas of open water and mobile ice can be found in many areas across western Alaska. The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings that may impact the ability of sea ice to re-form in some areas. Storm updates can be found at the National Weather Service - Alaska webpage. Erica Lujan