####018002276####
FZAK80 PAFC 142206 CCA

ICEAFC



Sea Ice Forecast for Western and Arctic Alaskan Coastal Waters

National Weather Service - Alaska Sea Ice Program 

206 PM AKDT Monday 14 August 2023



FORECAST VALID...Saturday 19 August 2023



ANALYSIS CONFIDENCE...High.



SYNOPSIS...A low pressure builds in the High Arctic Tuesday and 

lingers before moving southeast towards northwest Alaska on Friday.

 



-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-

PKZ859-Point Franklin to Cape Halkett from 15 to 75 NM-

PKZ860-Cape Halkett to Flaxman Island from 15 to 80 NM-



The main ice edge extends from 68 45'N 175 33'W to 71 36'N 171 5'W 

to 70 42'N 160 26'W to  72 6'N 155 21'W to 70 47'N 152 5'W to 70 

11'N 146 11'W to 72 43'N 149 59'W and continues east into Canadian 

waters.



From land-based points in Alaska, the main ice edge extends from 190 

nm west of Point Hope to 200 nm west of Wainwright to 9 nm west of 

Wainwright to 45 nm north of Point Barrow to 2 nm east of Cape 

Halkett to 35 nm northeast of Prudhoe Bay to 115 nm north of Cape 

Halkett and continues east into Canadian waters.



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

confidence is high. Easterly winds through Wednesday will encourage 

ice movement to the west. Winds may shift from the south Thursday, 

which will increase sea ice melting and will push remaining ice away 

from the coast.





-CHUKCHI SEA-



PKZ500-Western US Arctic Offshore-

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

PKZ858-Cape Beaufort to Point Franklin from 15 to 85 NM-





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

confidence is high. Winds shift briefly from the west before 

increasing and shifting from the south Wednesday. This will 

encourage retreat along the sea ice edge and for the sea ice west of 

NW Alaska to rapidly melt. Winds may shift from the west/northwest 

Thursday. This would encourage sea ice to be pushed towards the ice 

edge before melting. Moderate winds will encourage the sea ice to 

drift and melt.





&& 

Tinker