534
FZAK80 PAFC 032303
ICEAFC

Sea Ice Forecast for Western and Arctic Alaskan Coastal Waters
National Weather Service - Alaska Sea Ice Program
303 PM AKDT Wednesday 3 September 2025

FORECAST VALID...Monday 8 September 2025

ANALYSIS CONFIDENCE...High

SYNOPSIS...A strong system in the high Arctic remains in place and
deepens.  Another low located over the mainland lifts toward the
Canadian archipelago and weakens by Monday.

-BEAUFORT SEA-

PKZ505-Central US Arctic Offshore-
PKZ510-Eastern US Arctic Offshore-
PKZ813-Point Franklin to Cape Halkett out to 15 nm-
PKZ814-Cape Halkett to Flaxman Island out to 15 nm-
PKZ859-Point Franklin to Cape Halkett from 15 to 75 nm-
PKZ860-Cape Halkett to Flaxman Island from 15 to 80 nm-
PKZ861-Flaxman Island to Demarcation Point from 15 to 75 nm-

The main ice edge in the Beaufort Sea extends from 70 4N 142 5W to
70 2N 142 2W to 70 1N 140 1W and continues east into Canadian
waters. The ice edge is open water.  The ice edge also runs from 70
3N 150 5W to 70 5N 151 1W to 71 5N 154 5W. The ice edge is
open water.


From land-based points in Alaska, the main ice edge in the Beaufort
Sea extends from 37 nm WNW of Demarcation Point  to 45 nm northwest
of Demarcation Point to 38 nm north of Demarcation Point and
continues east into Canadian waters. The ice edge also runs from 20
nm W of Oliktok Point to 34nm NW of Oliktok Point to 42 nm N of
Ikiak. The ice edge is open water.

FORECAST FOR THE BEAUFORT SEA (DAYS 1 through 5)...Forecast
confidence is high. Generally southerly winds will persist through
about mid-Thursday before shifting westerly briefly for the
remainder of Thursday. Southerly winds return Friday and continue
through Monday. Ice will continue to melt and thin throughout the
forecast period while also moving generally northward about 5-10
nm/day.

-CHUKCHI SEA-

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

Ice covered.

PKZ813-Point Franklin to Cape Halkett out to 15 nm-
PKZ858-Cape Beaufort to Point Franklin from 15 to 85 nm-
PKZ859-Point Franklin to Cape Halkett from 15 to 75 nm-

The main ice edge in the Chukchi Sea extends from near  71 5N 154
5W to 71 2N 158 6W to 71 2N 163 1W and continues into Russian
waters. The ice edge is open water.


From land-based points in Alaska, the main ice edge in the Chukchi
Sea extends from 42 nm N of Ikiak  to 22 nm N of Point Franklin to
83 nm WNW of Point Franklin and continues into Russian waters. The
ice edge is open water.

FORECAST FOR THE CHUKCHI SEA (DAYS 1 through 5)...Forecast
confidence is high. Generally southerly winds will persist through
about mid-Thursday before shifting westerly briefly for Thursday.
Southerly winds return Friday and continue through Monday. Ice will
continue to melt and thin throughout the forecast period while also
moving generally northward about 5-10 nm/day.

&&
Riedel