Extreme Conditions in the Bering Sea (2017–2018): Record‐Breaking Low Sea‐Ice Extent

Abstract

Abstract The lowest winter‐maximum areal sea‐ice coverage on record (1980–2019) in the Bering Sea occurred in the winter of 2017/2018. Sea ice arrived late due to warm southerly winds in November. More typical northerly winds (albeit warm) in December and January advanced the ice, but strong, warm southerlies in February and March forced the ice to retreat. The cold pool (shelf region with bottom water 31‐day outbreaks of southerly winds in winter has increased since 2016.

Keywords

• Bering Sea
• sea ice
• cold pool
• stratification
• winds