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 with high pressure that is building from Eastern Siberia. This high pressure is anticipated to be the driving force behind warming temperatures, clearer skies, and calmer winds across the region next week. An area of low pressure could begin to move into the region by Friday (6/5), bringing another wave of stormy conditions.
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
Ice has melted substantially in the last week; only open pack ice remains west of Sledge Island.
Brevig Mission/Port Clarence Area
Formerly shorefast ice outside of Port Clarence has broken away in the last week and decayed to close pack ice. Ice within Port Clarence has shown signs of decaying away from the coastline.
Wales to Shishmaref
While the Bering Strait has opened in the last week, with open to very open pack ice, shorefast ice has remained in place though it is probably degrading quickly. Very close to consolidated pack ice exists off the shorefast ice to the west and north.
Diomede
The Bering Strait to Wales has really opened up in the last week. Very open to open pack ice remains with mostly small floes. Very close pack ice exists in the western portion of the Strait.
Forecast Discussion
Ice Forecast
St. Lawrence Island:
Expect ice to continue to move with local tides and currents through the week, but with westerly winds developing they could encourage ice to continue to flow around the east side of the island.
Wales to Shishmaref:
Expect the Bering Strait to continue to open up and decrease in coverage. The shorefast ice will continue to rot in place but should not move much over the next week.
Nome:
Expect ice-free conditions in the next week.
Brevig Mission / Port Clarence:
Expect ice to continue to drift with local currents, the formerly shorefast ice will continue to decay into very open to open pack ice and become brashy or small to medium floes.
Diomede:
Expect the area between Diomed and Wales to continue to decay into very open pack ice. Close to very close pack ice is expected to remain in the western Strait.
Wind Synopsis
St. Lawrence Island:
Friday (5/29) will see winds continue out of the north-northeast with winds up to 15 to 25 mph. Saturday (5/30) the winds will weaken to below 10 mph, but will see winds strengthen out of the south-southwest on Sunday (5/31). Sunday (5/31) through Tuesday (6/2) those south-southwest winds are anticipated to be 10 to 20 mph. Winds will turn northerly Wednesday (6/3) morning, and are expected to be around 10 to 20 mph. Northerly winds will continue through the remainder of the week.
Wales to Shish:
Northerly winds will continue across the area on Friday (5/29) with winds up to 15 to 25 mph. The strongest winds will be in Wales. Winds will begin to weaken on Saturday (5/30) with northwesterly winds of 10 mph expected. Southerly winds will ramp back up on Monday afternoon (6/1) with winds of 15 to 25 mph. Tuesday (6/2) and Wednesday (6/3) the winds will become variable but will continue to be breezy. By Friday (6/5) northerly winds will become predominant.
Diomede:
Northerly winds will continue across the area on Friday (5/29) with winds up to 15 to 25 mph. The strongest winds will be in Wales. Winds will begin to weaken on Saturday (5/30) with northwesterly winds of 10 mph expected. Southerly winds will ramp back up on Monday afternoon (6/1) with winds of 15 to 25 mph. Tuesday (6/2) and Wednesday (6/3) the winds will become variable, but will continue to be breezy. By Friday (6/5) northerly winds will become predominant.
Nome:
On Friday (5/29) northerly winds will be breezy around 10 to 15 mph. On Saturday (5/30) the winds will turn westerly and weaken to around 5 mph. These winds will continue on Sunday (5/31), but on Monday (6/1) will turn southerly. During the afternoon, the winds could be gusty with winds up to 15 mph, and overnight they will be light. The southerly winds are anticipated to continue through the week.
Port Clarence/Brevig Mission:
On Friday (5/29) northerly winds will be gusty around 20 to 25 mph. On Saturday (5/30) the winds will turn westerly and weaken to around 15 mph. These winds will continue on Sunday (5/31), but on Monday (6/1) will turn southerly. During the afternoon the winds could be gusty with winds up to 20 mph, and overnight they will be light. The southerly winds are anticipated to continue through the week.
Temperature Trend
St. Lawrence Island:
Daytime highs will see a gradual warming trend beginning Saturday (5/30). High temperatures will rise into the low to mid 40s across the Island. These temperatures are expected to stick around throughout the week of 5/1 to 5/5. Overnight lows will hover around freezing until Sunday (5/31). Monday night (6/1) those low temperatures will rise into the mid to upper 30s.
Wales to Shishmaref:
Daytime highs will see a gradual warming trend beginning Saturday (5/30). High temperatures will rise into the upper 30’s to around 40. These temperatures are expected to stick around throughout the week of 5/1 to 5/5. Overnight lows will hover around freezing throughout the period.
Diomede:
Temperatures are expected to remain consistent throughout the week. Daytime temperatures will be in the upper 30s to low 40s with overnight lows around freezing.
Nome:
Friday (5/29) and Saturday (5/30) will see temperatures remain in the mid-50s but will cool slightly Sunday (5/31) and Monday (6/1) to around 50 degrees. Tuesday afternoon (6/2) temperatures will begin to rise to around 60 degrees and are expected to remain that for the remainder of the week. Nighttime temperatures will be consistently in the 40s through the week.
Port Clarence/Brevig Mission:
Friday (5/29) and Saturday (5/30) will see temperatures remain in the mid-50s but will cool slightly Sunday (5/31) and Monday (6/1) to around 50 degrees. Tuesday afternoon (6/2) temperatures will begin to rise to around 60 degrees and are expected to remain that for the remainder of the week. Nighttime temperatures will be consistently in the 40s through the week.
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
Thursday, 28 May 2026 – Clarence Irrigoo, Jr.
Gray whales and geese heading north, NNE 20 mph 32°.
Images from Gambell courtesy of Clarence Irrigoo, Jr.
Sunday, 31 May 2026 – Ernie Sunaaghruk
Last nites boating trip. A calm before the wind shifted. 360ish. East of Gambell, north of Koozaata Camp.
Image from Gambell courtesy of Ernie Sunaaghruk.
Observations from Sivungaq / Savoonga
Friday, 29 May 2026 – Aqef Waghiyi
Boats went out boating and some got walrus and seals.
Saturday, 30 May 2026 – Aqef Waghiyi
Boats went out boating.
Images from Savoonga courtesy of Aqef Waghiyi.
Observations from Sitaisaq / Brevig Mission / Port Clarence
Friday, 29 May 2026 – Adriana Barr
34° and sunny, north wind 13mph
Ice is open in front of Brevig, boaters getting boats ready and planning on going out this weekend if the ice goes! Marcus said most likely guys will go out as soon as the ice by PC point breaks up to make a trail out.
Observations from Kingigin / Wales
Saturday, 30 May 2026 – Abel Apatiki, Sr.
Last night out from Wales, AK.
Sunday, 31 May 2026 – Abel Apatiki, Sr.
Yesterday beautiful day, 8 to 10 miles from Wales.
Images from Wales courtesy of Abel Apatiki, Sr.
Observations from Inaliq / Diomede
Observation from Inaliq coming soon.
Observations from Kigiktaq / Shishmaref
Thursday, 28 May 2026 – Christopher Ningeulook
North winds pushed ice against the launch site; as expected, putting a halt on ocean hunting until offshore winds can free up hopefully a closer launch if the ice is safe enough to navigate. North wind will continue until Sunday with SW winds and west wind. Mostly clear skies.
View video: https://youtube.com/shorts/Q929VqSxCPI?si=qX6PN1D_-XG_f2Fs
Saturday, 30 May 2026 – Christopher Ningeulook
Yesterday’s ride from west side of the island. Still no open water in sight. Some meat racks are filling up on this side too.
View video: https://youtube.com/shorts/iFPfURG6Pjo?si=GdS_XBJYaZpxhAKe
Observations from Sitnasuaq / Nome
Observation from Nome / Sitnasuaq coming soon.
Nome Sea Ice Radar: https://seaice.alaska.edu/coastal-ice-observations/nome
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)