Formation, Growth, and Decay of Sea-Ice in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago

Abstract

Freeze-up at Alert, Eureka, Isachsen, Mould Bay, and Resolute in the Canadian Arctic was observed to occur any time between the last week in August and the last week in September. A mathematical relationship between air temperature and sea-ice formation provided a favorable method for predicting the date of freeze-up at these stations. The maximum seasonal growth of sea ice, 269 cm, was measured at Isachsen; the minimum, 149 cm, was measured at Resolute. These values are based on measurements made at the five stations in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago having a total of 35 station years of record. Equations to predict the growth of sea ice by increments were derived empirically from the observations made at these locations. A separate term is introduced in the equations to take account of the effects of snow-cover depths on ice growth. To apply the formulas only air-temperature and snow-depth data are required. The study disclosed good correlation between air temperature and decrease in sea-ice thickness at the Arctic stations. The relationship was found to be: h = 0.55 sigma theta where h = decrease in ice thickness (cm) and sigma theta = accumulated degree days (above -1.8C).