####018002459####
FZAK80 PAFC 082239

ICEAFC



Sea Ice Forecast for Western and Arctic Alaskan Coastal Waters

National Weather Service - Alaska Sea Ice Program

245 PM AKDT Friday 8 September 2023



FORECAST VALID...Wednesday 13 September 2023



ANALYSIS CONFIDENCE...Moderate to high.



SYNOPSIS...High pressure over the Chukchi will shift east over the 

Canadian Archipelago through Wednesday. Low pressure from the Bering 

will move into the Chukchi on Monday.



 

-BEAUFORT SEA-



PKZ505-Central US Arctic Offshore-

PKZ510-Eastern US Arctic Offshore-

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



The main ice edge in the Beaufort Sea extends from 72 58'N 134 45'W 

to 73 58'N 144 56'W to 75 28'N 149 18'W to 76 38'N 155 21'W.



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

Sea extends from 210 nm NE of Kaktovik to 235 nm N of Kaktovik to 

300 nm N of Deadhorse to 300 nm N of Pt Barrow. The ice edge is open 

water.



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

confidence is moderate to high. Westerly winds today will quickly 

shift to the east pushing remaining ice in the eastern Beaufort into 

warmer waters. Expected retreat and melt to continue.



-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-





The main ice edge in the Chukchi Sea extends from 76 6'N 158 9'W to 

75 32'N 176 42'W to 71 46'N 159 25'W to 71 58'N 176 5'W to 69 9'N 

175 0'W. The ice edge is open water.



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

Sea extends from 300 nm N of Pt Barrow to 400 nm NW of Pt Barrow to 

60 nm W of Pt Barrow to 350 nm W of Pt Barrow to 180 nm W of Pt 

Hope. The ice edge is open water.



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

confidence is moderate to high. Variable winds today will become 

predominately out of the east through the forecast period as the 

high shifts to the east and low pressure moves south of the area. 

This will bring warmer temperatures and push ice farther to the 

north and west. The few remaining "islands" of ice separated from 

the pack will continue to thin, leaving large areas of ice free 

water in the Chukchi. Expect retreat of 30-50 miles to the north in 

addition to continued thinning/melt. 





&&

Jones