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 low will move in to replace the weakened system. There is around a 40% chance of showers during the Monday timeframe. Precipitation is expected to be mostly rain, however, mixed to snow showers are possible during the morning hours. This low pressure is expected to weaken Wednesday and move eastward into the northern gulf toward the end of the week.
Near St. Lawrence Island
Shorefast ice looks to be quickly degrading from satellite imagery with leads showing up within the ice near Ataakas Camp. A large area of very close to consolidated pack ice remains offshore between Kookoolik and Lietnik. An area of open to close pack ice exists north of Savoonga along the coast to Kangee Camp.
Nome
The biggest change from last week is the breakup of shorefast ice along the Nome coastline. Shorefast ice remains intact along the coast north of Sledge Island through Port Clarence.
Brevig Mission/Port Clarence Area
This area has not yet begun for the 2026 season.
Wales to Shishmaref
No major changes to the overall ice pack except for more areas of open water in the middle of the Bering Strait. Shorefast ice looks to be remaining intact though some of the areas behind barrier island and lagoons are beginning to degrade fairly quickly. An area of very open ice exists north of Shishmaref.
Diomede
This area has not yet begun for the 2026 season.
Forecast Discussion
Ice Forecast
St. Lawrence Island:
Winds will likely keep the existing pack ice to the east of Savoonga and keep it flowing around Camp Kulowiyi. Expect any remaining shorefast ice to quickly degrade over the next week and become mobile pack ice.
Wales to Shishmaref:
Expect little change in ice conditions over the next week. Expect the shorefast ice to continue to degrade though it likely will not break away and move over the next week.
Nome:
Expect shorefast ice that remains west of Nome to quickly degrade, possibly becoming mobile pack ice in the next week.
Wind Synopsis
St. Lawrence Island:
North winds Friday between 15 and 20 mph (13–17 knots) will diminish through the day to 10 to 15 mph (8–13 knots), shifting northeast, and continue for most of the weekend. Monday will see an increase in northeasterly winds to 20–25 mph (17–22 knots), with gusts up to 30 mph (27 knots). These conditions are expected to continue through midweek before gradually diminishing towards the latter half of the week.
Wales to Shish:
North winds Friday between 20 and 25 mph (17–22 knots) with gusts to 30 mph (25 knots) will diminish through the day to 10 to 15 mph (8–13 knots) and continue for most of the weekend. Monday will see an increase in northeasterly winds to 25–30 mph (22–27 knots), primarily located near Wales, with conditions continuing through midweek before gradually diminishing towards the latter half of the week and shifting northerly again.
Temperature Trend
St. Lawrence Island:
Consistent temperatures throughout the week are expected with highs mainly in the upper 30’s to near 40 degrees and lows dropping just below the freezing mark with readings generally the upper 20’s to near 30.
Wales to Shish:
Consistent temperatures throughout the week are expected with highs mainly in the upper 30’s to near 40 degrees and lows dropping just below the freezing mark with readings generally the upper 20’s to near 30.
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 Sivuqaq / Gambell
Saturday, 23 May 2026 – Clarence Irrigoo, Jr.
Lots of gray whales going north since yesterday.
Sunday, 24 May 2026 – Clarence Irrigoo, Jr.
Came back early cause the wind pick up and the swells. Ice breaking up back there.
Image from Gambell courtesy of Clarence Irrigoo, Jr.
Observations from Sivungaq / Savoonga
Sunday, 24 May 2026 – Aqef Waghiyi
Boats went out some got walrus and bearded seals and some got females with calfs.
Images from Savoonga courtesy of Aqef Waghiyi.
Observations from Sitaisaq / Brevig Mission / Port Clarence
Saturday, 23 May 2026 – Marcus Barr
As of now no one in Brevig is out boating, just bird hunting for now! Lots of hunters are getting their boats ready but the satellite images show the ice is still too far out for anyone to go out quite yet.
Observations from Kingigin / Wales
Report from Wales coming soon.
Observations from Inaliq / Diomede
Thursday, 21 May 2026 – Samantha Menadelook
Pictures of ice around Diomede.
Images from Diomede courtesy of Samantha Menadelook.
Observations from Kigiktaq / Shishmaref
Friday, 22 May 2026 – Christopher Ningeulook
Riding to and from the east channel in Shishmaref shows more boats on the shore ice ready and waiting to hunt. Innituks (meat racks) showing some hunters catches hanging to dry. Ice edge is slowly getting closer to the village and should be visible from town when it gets a couple miles closer. Currently it’s roughly 8 miles north. North and North west winds through the weekend with fog likely as it’s becomes more westerly.
See videos at:
https://youtube.com/shorts/BXh0YN0WBQ0?si=SWBVcQkRBYqUNh4x
https://youtube.com/shorts/5fcwE8ZP7Yk?si=35jJxIsYj3OUTXnR
Weather forecast information from the Windy app and satellite image captures courtesy of Christopher Ningeulook.
Observations from Sitnasuaq / Nome
Wednesday, 20 May 2026 – Bivers Gologergen
Shore ice is out.
**First four photos from Wednesday, second five photos from Thursday, 21 May.
Nome Sea Ice Radar: https://seaice.alaska.edu/coastal-ice-observations/nome
Images from Nome courtesy of Bivers Gologergen. The first four are from 20 May and second five are from 21 May.
Shared by the Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS) for 20–28 May 2026
The images below show animations of the movement of ice predicted by the HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM). Snapshots from the forecast show ice coverage from 0% (black) to 100% (white) and arrows show the relative speed and direction of the ice. A light boundary is drawn at 15% predicted ice cover to highlight the ice edge, but ice may be predicted to extend beyond it. Some bays, lagoons, and areas very close to shore are not covered by the model. (Image produced by the Alaska Ocean Observing System / Axiom Data Science).
These animations show the predicted movement of ice predicted by the HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM). Snapshots from the forecast show ice coverage from 0% (black) to 100% (white) and arrows show the relative speed and direction of the ice. A light boundary is drawn at 15% predicted ice cover to highlight the ice edge, but ice may be predicted to extend beyond it. Some bays, lagoons, and areas very close to shore are not covered by the model. (Image produced by the Alaska Ocean Observing System / Axiom Data Science)