Previous studies have shown that intense storms with strong winds will break-up the ice pack (Screen et al., 2011; Long and Perrie, 2012; Asplin et al., 2012), while accounts of the record minimum in the September 2012 sea ice extent attribute the loss to mechanical weakening and melting of an already thin sea ice cover due to strong winds (NSIDC, 2012b, Simmonds and Rudeva, 2012). In order to accurately predict the movement of sea ice and ice break-up accurate estimates of surface winds are needed.

Two radiosondes will be launched twice daily off the CCGS Amundsen at 00Z and 12Z for the whole cruise.  The radiosondes will give winds from near surface up to a height of approximately 20 km. During late August and early September, 12 on ice met towers will be deployed in the Beaufort Sea and Chukchi Sea collecting near surface winds. The met towers will collect data on ice for ideally 6 – 12 months. The in-situ data will be compared to different forecasted winds and re-analysis datasets to evaluate the current understanding and ability to correctly forecast or model winds in the high Arctic.

Fieldwork site: Onboard the CCGS Amundsen in the Baffin Bay, Northwest Passage, Kane Basin, Amundsen Gulf, Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea, Canadian Basin

PI: D.Barber

Project Lead: L.Candlish

Project Participants: Dr. David Barber (CEOS); Dr. Masayoy Ogi (CEOS);  Lauren Candlish (CEOS); Brian Horton (CEOS); Dave Babb (CEOS)

Fieldwork summary/photo blog

Link to project summary report