Empirical Probabilities on the Ice Limit and Fifty Percent Ice Concentration Boundary in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas.

• Main Author: Webster,Bruce D
• Other Authors: NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1982
• Subjects: Snow; Ice and Permafrost; *Sea ice; Beaufort Sea; Chukchi Sea; Growth(General); Decay; Seasonal variations; Statistical analysis; Probability; Chukchi; Ice; permafrost; Sea ice
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA116849; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA116849

Semi-monthly empirical probabilities of the ice limit and 50 percent ice concentration boundary are contoured in 25 percent increments from 0 to 100 percent for the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas from May 15 to December 1. The source information covers a 29 year period, from 1953 to 1981. Given certain assumptions, this statistical approach provides a basis for prediction of the ice extent in the long term which may be some benefit in the seasonal planning of marine operations. The ice decay and growth cycle shows a distinctive climatological pattern which is related to bottom topography, proximity to warm water sources and a semi-permanent ice circulation feature. (Author)