News Archive

SIPN Team members Stroeve, Hamiliton, Bitz, and Blanchard-Wrigglesworth published an analysis of the ensemble skill of the SEARCH Sea Ice Outlook 2008-2013 in predicting September Arctic sea ice extent. Their article is published in Geophysical Research Letters - 16 April 2014.

A new article by Larry Hamilton and others on the SIPN Team looks at the overall success of informal sea ice predictions contributed to the Sea Ice Outlook (SIO). Their article was published in Witness the Arctic - Spring 2014.

The Spring 2014 issue of Witness the Arctic is now available. This issue includes an introduction of the new NSF Director, France A. Córdova; articles about other NSF news, the influence of Arctic climate changes on mid-latitude weather patterns, and the overall success of past Sea Ice Outlook predictions. Also included are updates on: the SEARCH program; NSF-funded projects in Arctic natural sciences, social sciences, and science education; international meetings; and NASA, NOAA, ACADIS, USARC, and the Polar Research Board. Special features in this issue are a perspective on the new ARCUS Vision and Mission statement, interviews with three members of the ARCUS Board of Directors, and Brendan P. Kelly's reflections on Arctic research coordination.

Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC) announces a position opening for a full-time Project Coordinator/Web Manager. The position will be be open until filled; initial review of applications will begin on 27 June 2014.

A new sea ice thickness and snow depth product of the Arctic Ocean and the Beaufort and Chuckshi Seas is available from NSIDC. The 2014 quicklook data product is available here. The March 2014 CryoSat-2 data product is available here. Data collected on 28 April 2014 are forthcoming.

An Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC) webinar will be held on Wednesday, June 25 at 3:00pm Eastern Time on "Building a Conceptual Framework on How to Assess Food Security From an Alaska Inuit Perspective.” This webinar is open to anyone interested in participating.

The Sea Ice Prediction Network announces the launch of the 2014 Sea Ice Outlook season with the first call for contributions! Join a growing network of sea ice experts and contribute your pan-arctic or regional Outlook for the first report to be published in June.

ARCUS education staff, with partners, facilitated three workshops for scientists and educations to increase science communication and create educational products. A paper was recently published in the Journal of Geoscience Education to identify the importance of those workshops focusing on culturally responsive curriculum based on alaskan marine ecosystems. View contributors and the abstract in the PolarTREC Learning Resources Collection.

The Sea Ice for Walrus Outlook (SIWO), a product of the Study of Environmental Change (SEARCH) and part of SIPN, has launched the 2014 season with weekly reports that combine forecasts, remote sensing data, and local observations for the Northern Bering Sea and southern Chukchi Sea regions of Alaska.

Announcing an Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC) Webinar on "Current Science Questions and Activities Related to Arctic Black Carbon" scheduled for Friday, 18 April 2014 from 3:00-4:30 p.m. EDT. The webinar is open to anyone interested in joining.

Image courtesy of NOAA

The 2014 Sea Ice for Walrus Outlook season is now in progress. Weekly reports describing the sea ice and weather conditions in the northern Bering Sea and southern Chukchi Sea will be available each Friday. Satellite imagery and local observations will be updated throughout the week as they are received.

The Sea Ice Prediction workshop next week will be webcast. Information on how to join, as well as an updated workshop agenda and participant list, can be found on the workshop webpage.

Announcing a new website for the research community to learn more about the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC) and join IARPC collaboration team meetings.

Julienne Stroeve is lead author on a Geophysical Research Letters article, "Changes in Arctic melt season and implications for sea ice loss”. The study has received a lot of good press coverage.

The Sea Ice Prediction Network is holding a 2-day workshop in Boulder, Colorado, 1-2 April 2014, to provide a venue for in-depth discussion on the 2014 SEARCH Sea Ice Outlook and related sea ice prediction issues.

A 2-day Sea Ice Prediction Network workshop in Boulder, Colorado, will provide a venue for in-depth discussion on the 2014 SEARCH Sea Ice Outlook and related sea ice prediction science.

The archive of the 20 February SIPN Webinar is now available. This archive includes audio, video, and presentation slides in PDF format.

The Winter 2014 issue of Witness the Arctic is now available. This issue includes news about the SEARCH program, NSF meetings and workshops, the Sea Ice Prediction Network, and NOAA’s Arctic Report Card. Also included are articles about data management, climate change impacts on ocean acidification and archaeology, and the Icelandic Arctic Fox Centre. Special features in this issue are interviews with members of the ARCUS Board of Directors and a Member Institution Highlight of Texas A&M.

Join us for a PolarConnect (Webinar) event with the Joint Antarctic School Expedition from Chile!

PolarConnect Event is scheduled for:

Date: Tuesday 25 February 2014
Time: 9:30 am Alaska Standard Time

This expedition is a cultural and science exchange between students and teachers of the United States and Chile. Three US students, Claire Hacker, Anna Caldwell-Overdier, and Luke Maillefer, are going to present their experiences in Antarctica from Punta Arenas, Chile. Join them in the LIVE event!

Join a free webinar on the Arctic Observing Network (AON) on Tuesday, 18 February 2014, 1:30 PM EST. This webinar is one of a series from the National Science Foundation on long-term observing management and governance. The webinar will be archived for those who want to view it afterwards.

Registration is now available for a Sea Ice Prediction Network webinar, which will be held on Thursday, 20 February at 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Alaska Standard Time. Registration is free and is open to all interested participants, including arctic sea ice researchers, students, decision makers, and others.

Announcing a Sea Ice Prediction Network webinar on Thursday, 20 February 2014 11:00am - 12:00 pm AKST, and a Sea Ice Prediction Workshop 1-2 April in Boulder, Colorado. More information will be available here and through our email list. For now, see the initial announcement for these two events and the tentative workshop agenda.

Join a free webinar on the Arctic Observing Network (AON) on Tuesday, 4 February 2014, 1:30 PM - 2:30 p.m. EST. This webinar is one of a series from the National Science Foundation on long-term observing management and governance. The webinar will be archived for those who want to view it afterwards.

The Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH) program is currently working on implementation of a new structure and activities. The new activities will focus on sea ice, permafrost, land ice, societal/policy implications, "Arctic Futures 2050", and fostering a coordinated arctic observing system. A 5-page summary of the new SEARCH vision, mission, goals, and structure is available on the SEARCH site.

The Sea Ice Outlook post-season report is available. Thirty-four groups contributed outlooks this season - thank you! The report provides brief highlights and a discussion of the 2013 sea ice season and lessons learned.