Early results of the Canadian ice service ice strength chart

• Main Authors: Langlois, D. J., De Abreu, R., Gauthier, M.-F., Timco, G. W., Johnston, M.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2003
• Subjects: Arctic; Sea ice
• Online Access: https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/accepted/?id=925ffaeb-e1ea-45e3-988c-7d2571657c0a; https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/object/?id=925ffaeb-e1ea-45e3-988c-7d2571657c0a; https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/fra/voir/objet/?id=925ffaeb-e1ea-45e3-988c-7d2571657c0a

The Canadian Ice Service (CIS) is investigating methods to operationally report on sea ice strength. Knowledge of the state of ice decay is an important factor in Arctic marine navigation. Recent work has led to an improved understanding of the seasonal weakening of first year sea ice and the physical processes responsible. In May 2002 the CIS began production of a prototype 舠Ice Strength舡 chart based upon an algorithm developed by the Canadian Hydraulics Centre of the National Research Council. Using field observations of ice strength and ancillary variables, this algorithm estimates the ice strength using modeled surface air temperatures. The Ice Strength chart displays the strength of undeformed first year ice relative to its mid-winter strength. In 2002, field research was conducted to validate the Ice Strength chart. A comparison with the field data showed that the Ice Strength chart gave good estimates of the ice strength. NRC publication: Yes