Sea Ice Cover and Related Atmospheric Conditions in Arctic Canada During the Summer of 1978

Abstract

Maps are presented of sea ice cover and open water in the Canadian Arctic for the final day of each month, June?September, 1978. The maps are derived from NOAA satellite imagery and show an extent of open water which is considerably smaller than that in the summers of 1975?77. Areal and temporal variations in sea ice cover and open water in the Canadian Arctic are related to atmospheric conditions particularly the locations of high- and low-pressure cells and the prevailing winds over the region and to melting degree days at four selected stations. The prevailing winds bring warm or cold air masses which increase or decrease air temperatures/melting degree days and consequently speed up or delay the time of ice melting. Moreover, strong prevailing winds depending on whether offshore or onshore take ice away from the roast or push ice toward the coast and thus cause a real variations of open water and ice cover.