Assessment of Current Ice Conditions Relevant to Distribution and Access of Walrus
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Synopsis: A ridge of high pressure that is currently bringing clear and quiet weather will largely persist through the weekend with weather systems passing to the north of St. Lawrence Island. By Tuesday, the ridge will break down and likely allow for significant snow and wind through Thursday. Temperatures will likely fall back below normal toward the end of this week after this system passes through.
Near St. Lawrence Island
A ridge of high pressure that is currently bringing clear and quiet weather will largely persist through the weekend with weather systems passing to the north of St. Lawrence Island. By Tuesday, the ridge will break down and likely allow for significant snow and wind through Thursday. Temperatures will likely fall back below normal toward the end of this week after this system passes through.
Nome
This area has not begun yet for the 2025 season.
Brevig Mission/Port Clarence Area
This area has not begun yet for the 2025 season.
Wales to Shishmaref
This area has not begun yet for the 2025 season.
Diomede
This area has not begun yet for the 2025 season.
Forecast Discussion
Ice Forecast
Sea ice will generally drift east through the week, bringing more of the larger, thicker sea-ice floes to the south of St. Lawrence Island and moving the thinner ice that formed within the polynya south of the island off to the east of the island. During periods when winds are more southwesterly, the thicker ice floes south of the island will drift toward the south shore, especially near Pugughileq Camp.
Wind Synopsis
Weaker westerly winds around 5 to 10 mph are expected today (Thursday, 27 March) and begin to strengthen into Friday (28 March) afternoon, with speeds reaching their maximum Sunday morning at around 15 to 20 mph over Gambell and 15 to 20 mph over Savoonga. Wind speeds begin to gradually taper off after Sunday afternoon, reaching 10 to 15 mph by Thursday afternoon next week with slightly stronger winds over Savoonga. Gusts have the potential to reach 30 to 35 mph for most areas on St. Lawrence Island Sunday morning. Winds will continue to be largely out of the west.
Temperature Trend
Temperatures start off in the positive mid-teens between Thursday and early morning Friday. Beginning Friday morning, a warming trend causes highs to be in the mid 30s and lows in the mid/upper 20s through late Sunday. Following this, a gradual dip in temperatures is noticeable starting Monday, with highs in the mid to low 20s and lows in the teens and is expected to persist through the rest of 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 Sea Ice Development
Observations from Gambell
Thursday, 27 March 2025 – Clarence Irrigoo, Jr.
The ice moved in and no boats are out. When I look on my glasses I could see games on the ice.
Sea ice and weather conditions in Gambell. Photos courtesy of Clarence Irrigoo, Jr.
Observations from Savoonga
Friday, 28 March 2025 – Aqef Waghiyi
Observation from Savoonga coming soon!
Shared by the Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS) for 25 March–2 April 2025
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)