####018003530####
FZAK80 PAFC 162236 RRA

ICEAFC



Sea Ice Forecast for Western and Arctic Alaskan Coastal Waters

National Weather Service - Alaska Sea Ice Program

250 PM AKDT Monday 16 October 2023



FORECAST VALID...Saturday 21 October 2023



ANALYSIS CONFIDENCE...Moderate



SYNOPSIS...A gale force low moves east across the ice edge in the 

Chukchi Sea toward the north of NW Alaska, where it will linger and 

then weaken through Thursday. A low will form along the north slope 

on Tuesday and Wednesday.

 



-BEAUFORT SEA-



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-



The main ice edge in the Beaufort Sea extends from 75 36'N 157 2'W 

to 71 50'N 137 44'W and continues in Canadian waters. The ice edge 

is open water. There is also sea ice mainly behind barrier islands 

along the north coast of Alaska.



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

Sea extends from 240 nm north of Point Barrow to 125 nm north of 

Demarcation Point and continues in Canadian waters. The ice edge is 

open water. There is also sea ice mainly behind barrier islands 

along the north coast of Alaska.



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

confidence is high. Colder air will move back in by Wednesday. Winds 

predominately from the west, but may be variable at times. The ice 

pack is expected to grow south 40 to 60 nm through Saturday as new 

sea ice continues to form along and near the ice edge.  



Along the north slope coast, sea ice will continue to form and will 

begin spreading north just a bit beyond barrier islands. Sea ice 

will struggle to gain a foothold beyond the barrier islands as 

warmer waters are just offshore.  



-CHUKCHI SEA-



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-

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



The main ice edge in the Chukchi Sea extends from 75 36'N 157 2'W to 

71 12'N 174 50'W and continues in Russian waters. The ice edge is 

open water. There is also sea ice within protected bays and behind 

barrier islands along the coast from Wales to Point Barrow.



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

Sea extends from 240 nm north of Point Barrow to 250 nm west of Icy 

Cape and continues in Russian waters. The ice edge is open water. 

There is also sea ice within protected bays and behind barrier 

islands along the coast from Wales to Point Barrow.



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

confidence is high. Moderate winds from the northwest are expected 

through the forecast period. Sea ice will continue to grow within 

and south of the main ice pack. The ice edge will likely expand 30 

to 50 nm south through Saturday.





-BERING SEA-



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

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



There is new sea ice within the protected bays of northern Norton 

Sound and along the Alaska coast from Emmonak to Cape Newenham.



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

is moderate. Northerly winds will persist across Norton Sound. New 

sea ice will continue to grow along the Alaska coastline and in 

protect bays.





&& 

Tinker