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Sea Ice for Walrus Outlook

Overview of SIWO

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 Alaska Native sea-ice experts and the National Weather Service Alaska Region. The SIWO is a collaborative network managed by AOOS in partnership with the Eskimo Walrus Commission, the National Weather Service, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and local observers.

Background photo courtesy of Clarence Irrigoo, Jr.

Weekly Forecasts

The forecast season usually begins in March and runs through June, depending on sea ice conditions. The full Sea Ice for Walrus Outlook can be found on the ARCUS SIWO Facebook page. The weekly forecasts of surface currents and sea ice from AOOS will also be posted on this page during the current SIWO season.

SIWO Forecast – Friday, June 26, 2026

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

Synopsis: High pressure remains over the Chukchi Sea through the weekend while low pressure sits over interior Alaska. Monday and Tuesday, a weak low will form north of the Bering Strait along with a broader but still weak area of low pressure in the high Arctic. This is the final outlook for the 2026 SIWO season.

Near St. Lawrence Island

An area of brash ice and ice cakes exists 15 to 30 miles north and northeast of the Lietnik to Camp Kulowiyi area.

Nome

The area is ice free.

Brevig Mission/Port Clarence Area

The area is ice free.

Wales to Shishmaref

Remaining ice is limited to outer Kotzebue Sound with an area of pack ice 1-5 miles offshore of Shishmaref to Espenberg with greater concentration of ice near Espenberg. Ice is decaying quickly, brash and small ice cakes and small floes.

Diomede

The area is ice free.

Forecast Discussion

Ice Forecast

St. Lawrence Island:

The remaining ice will likely melt in the next week, however there could be a small area of very open water remaining northeast of the Island.

Wales to Shishmaref:

In the next week, ice will likely only remain in outer Kotzebue south, flowing northward along the coast toward Kivalina.

Wind Synopsis

St. Lawrence Island:

Winds remain from the northeast through Sunday (6/28) afternoon at 12-20 kt (14-25 mph). Winds will weaken and shift southwest sometime Sunday night or Monday morning at 7-12 kt (8-14 mph). Winds should increase slightly from the southwest on Tuesday (6/30) around 10-18 kt (12-21 mph). By Wednesday (7/1), a low in the Bering may try to shift winds westerly then northwesterly on Thursday (7/2), remaining around 10-18 mph (12-21 mph).

Wales to Shishmaref:

Winds remain from the northeast through Sunday (6/28) afternoon at 18-30 kt (21-35 mph). Winds will weaken and shift southwest sometime Sunday night or Monday morning at 7-14 kt (8-16 mph). Winds should increase slightly from the southwest on Tuesday (6/30) around 10-20 kt (12-23 mph). By Wednesday (7/1), a low in the Bering may try to shift winds westerly then northwesterly on Thursday (7/2), remaining around 12-22 mph (14-25 mph).

Temperature Trend

St. Lawrence Island:

High temperatures remain in the mid 40s over the ice/water through the period with mid 40s to mid 50s over the island.

Wales to Shishmaref:

High temperatures remain in the low to mid 40s over the ice/water for the entire period and upper 40s to mid 50s along the coast.

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

The Alaska Ocean Observing System shares a variety of weather and sea ice related resources in their Bering Sea Portal at https://bering-sea.portal.aoos.org/.

NWS Sea Ice Forecast Maps

Marine forecast for the West Coast and Arctic Coast

Remote Sensing Images

NWS Satellite Image - Bering Strait Area

NWS Satellite Image - Shishmaref to Wales area

NWS Satellite Image - Brevig Mission to Nome area

Observations & Comments

Observations of Local Conditions

Observations from Kigiktaq / Shishmaref

Monday, 22 June 2026 – Christopher Ningeulook

Hunters are still going out to look for walrus and bearded seals. North winds have kept the pack ice fairly congested. Some hunters are having successful hunting. Light north wind changing to east for half the day tomorrow (Tuesday) then south westerly Wednesday.

Thursday, 25 June 2026 – Christopher Ningeulook

The western edge of the ice edge has passed Shishmaref. North wind for the rest of the week. Some hunters may boat east to Kotzebue sound if the weather conditions allow it.

Saturday, 27 June 2026 – Christopher Ningeulook

Probably my last update, as the Weather looks like offshore starting on Monday into late Tuesday night. May be hunters going on a last hurrah effort to catch whatever marine mammals they can for their winter supply.

Observations from Teller

Tuesday, 23 June 2026 – David Elasanga Jr.

Our Grantley Harbor is ice free now.

SIWO Forecast Archives

SIWO Forecast – Friday, June 26, 2026

Assessment of Current Ice Conditions Relevant to Distribution and Access of Walrus Synopsis: High pressure remains over the Chukchi Sea through the weekend while low pressure sits over interior Alaska. Monday and Tuesday, a weak low will form north of the Bering...

SIWO Forecast – Friday, June 19, 2026

Assessment of Current Ice Conditions Relevant to Distribution and Access of Walrus Synopsis: The weather pattern for the next week looks to be mostly quiet. We’ll have some breezy south-southwest winds through Saturday morning/afternoon (6/20), then a cold front moves...

SIWO Forecast – Friday, June 12, 2026

Assessment of Current Ice Conditions Relevant to Distribution and Access of Walrus Synopsis: An area of low pressure will be moving over the Seward Peninsula on Friday with isolated rain showers. This weekend (6/13 & 14), a high pressure moves overhead keeping the...

SIWO Forecast – Friday, June 5, 2026

Assessment of Current Ice Conditions Relevant to Distribution and Access of Walrus Synopsis: The remains of a high-pressure system in the Bering Strait will continue to weaken and move towards Siberia on Friday (6/5) and Saturday (6/6) as low pressure builds in...

SIWO Forecast – Friday, May 29, 2026

Assessment of Current Ice Conditions Relevant to Distribution and Access of Walrus Synopsis: Low pressure in the Bering will gradually weaken and move south towards the Gulf of Alaska late Friday (5/29) and into Saturday (5/30). This low pressure will get replaced...

SIWO Forecast – Friday, May 22, 2026

Assessment of Current Ice Conditions Relevant to Distribution and Access of Walrus Synopsis: Weakening low pressure in the Bering Sea on Friday will slowly move inland near the YK Delta and will continue to weaken through the weekend. Monday, another strong Bering Sea...

SIWO Forecast – Friday, May 15, 2026

Assessment of Current Ice Conditions Relevant to Distribution and Access of Walrus Synopsis: Friday through Monday the general weather will be influenced by a storm system meandering around the southern and central Bering Sea. During this timeframe, winds will be on...

SIWO Forecast – Friday, May 8, 2026

Assessment of Current Ice Conditions Relevant to Distribution and Access of Walrus Synopsis: Northerly flow will persist across the Bering region headed into the weekend. This will maintain the dry, but cooler than normal weather pattern through the weekend. Wind...

SIWO Forecast – Friday, May 1, 2026

Assessment of Current Ice Conditions Relevant to Distribution and Access of Walrus Synopsis: As a strong Bering Sea low makes a northerly ascent along the West Coast of Alaska, relatively strong winds and cooler temperatures are brought over the area. This low is...

SIWO Forecast – Friday, April 24, 2026

Assessment of Current Ice Conditions Relevant to Distribution and Access of Walrus Synopsis: A series of lows will be moving north across the Bering, bringing periods of gusty winds and a gradual warming trend through the weekend. The first low is already producing...

SIWO Forecast – Friday, April 17, 2026

Assessment of Current Ice Conditions Relevant to Distribution and Access of Walrus Synopsis: A weak low-pressure system is moving towards Nunivak Island and is aiding in bringing gusty northeast winds through the Bering Strait and towards Gambell. This low shouldn’t...

SIWO Forecast – Friday, April 10, 2026

Assessment of Current Ice Conditions Relevant to Distribution and Access of Walrus Synopsis: High pressure across mainland Alaska and low pressure across Siberia results in warm temperatures, multiple precipitation chances, and gusty south winds at times through...

SIWO Forecast – Friday, April 3, 2026

Assessment of Current Ice Conditions Relevant to Distribution and Access of Walrus Synopsis: Spring-like conditions are going to continue through much of next week. High pressure remains over eastern Siberia, which is allowing for the island to be dry. This high...

SIWO Forecast – June 27, 2025

Assessment of Current Ice Conditions Relevant to Distribution and Access of Walrus Click the name of each community below to view more frequently updated and detailed information from the National Weather Service. Synopsis: A warmer and drier pattern starts to settle...

SIWO Forecast – June 20, 2025

SIWO Forecast – June 13, 2025

SIWO Forecast – June 6, 2025

SIWO Forecast – May 30, 2025

SIWO Forecast – May 23, 2025

SIWO Forecast – May 16, 2025

SIWO Forecast – May 9, 2025

SIWO Forecast – May 2, 2025

SIWO Forecast – April 25, 2025

SIWO Forecast – April 18, 2025

SIWO Forecast – April 11, 2025

SIWO Forecast – April 4, 2025

SIWO Forecast – March 28, 2025

SIWO Forecast – March 21, 2025

SIWO Forecast – June 28, 2024

Sea Ice for Walrus Outlook releases short film

The Sea Ice for Walrus Outlook (SIWO) announced the release of a new short film highlighting the collaboration and dedication of the many contributors who have shaped the program’s success as it approaches its 15th season. SIWO provides weekly updates during the...