####018003838####
FZAK80 PAFC 032151

ICEAFC



Sea Ice Forecast for Western and Arctic Alaskan Coastal Waters

National Weather Service - Alaska Sea Ice Program

220 PM AKDT Friday 3 November 2023



FORECAST VALID...Wednesday 8 November 2023



ANALYSIS CONFIDENCE...High to moderate



SYNOPSIS...High pressure will build over the High Arctic through 

Monday. On Sunday and Monday, one weak low may move into the western 

Bering Sea and another weak low may form and then dissipate over the 

Bering Strait.



The main ice edge extends from 68 50'N 165 38'W to 71 31'N 156 35'W 

to 71 3'N 161 30'W to 72 23'N 167 7'W and continues in Russian 

waters. The ice edge is open water.



From land-based points in Alaska, the main ice edge extends from 

near Cape Lisburne to 8 nm NW of Point Barrow to 95 nm SW of Point 

Barrow to 200 nm W of Point Barrow and continues in Russian waters. 

The ice edge is open water.





-BEAUFORT SEA-



PKZ505-Central US Arctic Offshore-

PKZ510-Eastern US Arctic Offshore-

PKZ813-Point Franklin to Cape Halkett out to 15 nm-

PKZ814-Cape Halkett to Flaxman Island out to 15 nm-

PKZ815-Flaxman Island to Demarcation Point out to 15 nm-



FORECAST FOR THE BEAUFORT SEA (DAYS 1 through 5)...Forecast 

confidence is high. High pressure to the north and low pressure over 

land will create a strong gradient that will result in an increase 

in wind speeds. Northeasterly and easterly winds will vigorously 

push sea ice to the west. The winds may hinder new sea ice growth 

along the pack edge, but there should be an increase within the pack 

itself. Along the north slope coast, the strong winds may slow the 

rate of new ice growth through the forecast period. Expect any new 

sea ice outside of protect bays to move to the west through the 

forecast period.





-CHUKCHI SEA-



PKZ500-Western US Arctic Offshore-

PKZ505-Central US Arctic Offshore-

PKZ807-Wales to Cape Espenberg out to 15 nm-

PKZ808-Cape Espenberg to Motherwood Point out to 10 nm-

PKZ809-Motherwood Point to Cape Krusenstern out to 10 nm-

PKZ810-Cape Krusenstern to Cape Thompson out to 15 NM-

PKZ812-Cape Beaufort to Point Franklin out to 15 NM-

PKZ855-Kotzebue Sound greater than 10 NM-



FORECAST FOR THE CHUKCHI SEA (DAYS 1 through 5)...Forecast 

confidence is moderate. Strong easterly/northeasterly winds will 

continue to push sea ice west towards Russian waters. The ice edge 

may not change during the forecast period. Along the northwest 

coast, strong winds may slow the rate of sea ice growth. Sea ice 

within protect bays, especially in Kotzebue Sound, may be pushed 

into open water. New sea ice growth is expected along west-facing 

coastlines, and there may be new sea ice near Kivalina.





-BERING SEA-



PKZ763-Kuskokwim Delta and Etolin Strait out to 15 NM-

PKZ764-Kuskokwim Delta from 15 to 80 NM-

PKZ801-Etolin Strait to Dall Point out to 15 NM-

PKZ802-Dall Point to Kwikpak Pass out to 15 NM-

PKZ803-Kwikpak Pass to Cape Stephens out to 15 NM-

PKZ804-Cape Stephens to Moses Point out to 15 NM-

PKZ805-Moses Point to Sledge Island out to 15 NM-

PKZ806-Sledge Island to Wales out to 15 NM-



There is new sea ice along the coast from near Quinhagak to near 

Kwikpak and within the protected bays of northern Norton Sound.



FORECAST FOR THE BERING SEA (DAYS 1 through 5)...Forecast confidence 

is moderate. Predominant winds from the northeast will cool air 

temperatures enough for sea ice growth. Winds may shift southerly 

Monday, as a low pressure moved through the area, which would melt 

ice along the coast. Expect sea ice to start to recover within 

protected bays on Tuesday and for there to be new sea ice growth is 

expected along west-facing coastlines.





&& 

Tinker