####018002380####
FZAK80 PAFC 162140 CCA

ICEAFC



Sea Ice Forecast for Western and Arctic Alaskan Coastal Waters

National Weather Service - Alaska Sea Ice Program 

140 PM AKDT Wednesday 16 August 2023





FORECAST VALID...Monday 21 August 2023



ANALYSIS CONFIDENCE...High.



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

lingers before weakening Saturday.

 



-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 Wainwright to 73 1'N 152 56'W and continues east into Canadian 

waters. Another large area of ice exists from 71 18'N 154 3'W to 70 

13'N 146 7'W.



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 Wainwright to 

100 nm north of Point Barrow and continues into Canadian waters. 

Another large area of ice exists from 45 nm northwest of Cape 

Halkett to 120 nm east/northeast of Cape Halkett.



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

confidence is moderate. Between light and variable winds, expect 

short periods of southerly winds through the week and weekend. These 

conditions should encourage a faster rate of melt of the remaining 

sea ice north of Prudhoe Bay. Expect ice in the High Arctic to 

continue to melt.







-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 moderate. Predominantly winds from the west through 

the week and weekend, but low confidence because this will be based 

on where the low pressure will sit through the week. Westerly winds 

would encourage sea ice to be pushed towards the ice edge before 

melting and towards the NW Alaska Coast. Moderate winds will 

encourage the sea ice to drift and melt, but the sea ice edge in the 

Chukchi Sea may expand eastward out up to 20 nm through Monday.







&& 

Tinker