057
FZAK80 PAFC 182050
ICEAFC

Sea Ice Forecast for Western and Arctic Alaskan Coastal Waters
National Weather Service - Alaska Sea Ice Program 100 PM AKDT
Wednesday 18 September 2024

FORECAST VALID...Monday 23 September 2024.

ANALYSIS CONFIDENCE...Moderate.

SYNOPSISA low over the eastern Beaufort Sea remains nearly
stationary through Thursday before exiting east into Canadian waters
on Friday. High pressure builds over the Chukchi Sea Thursday
through Saturday. Various lows traverse the Southern Bering Sea
through Saturday.

The main ice edge extends from near 75 42N 134 59W to 76 14N 141
24W to 75 54N 158 75W to 74 28N 170 30W to 72 52N 175 5W and
continues west into Russian waters. Ice lingers off the north coast
of the Chukchi Peninsula. The ice edge is open water.

From land-based point in Alaska, the main ice edge extends from 350
nm north-northeast of Demarcation Point to 380 nm north of Kaktovik
to 265 nm north of Point Barrow to 305 nm northwest of Point Barrow
to 175 nm west-northwest of Point Barrow to 325 nm northwest of Icy
Cape and continues west into Russian waters. Ice lingers off the
northern coast of the Chukchi Peninsula. The ice edge is open water.

-BEAUFORT SEA-

PKZ505-Central US Arctic Offshore-PKZ510-Eastern US Arctic Offshore-

FORECAST FOR THE BEAUFORT SEA (DAYS 1 through 5)...Forecast
confidence is moderate. Northwesterly winds remain through Friday,
then become westerly on Saturday and then northerly through Monday.
General drift of the ice pack through Saturday will be approximately
10 nm per day in the direction of the wind. New ice is likely
beginning to form along the edge of the main ice pack.

-CHUKCHI SEA-

PKZ500-Western US Arctic Offshore-PKZ505-Central US Arctic Offshore-

FORECAST FOR THE CHUKCHI SEA (DAYS 1 through 5)...Forecast
confidence is moderate. Winds remain variable through Friday as high
pressure builds over the area. Winds then shift to southeasterly on
Saturday. Winds become southeasterly Sunday and Monday. General
drift of the ice pack will be south up to 20 nm through Wednesday
and approximately 10 nm northwest on Saturday. Pack ice continues to
linger off the northern coast of the Chukchi Peninsula.

&&