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
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.
