Weekly Outlook for SIWO

Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026

St. Lawrence Island

Shorefast ice looks to be quickly degrading from satellite imagery with leads showing up within the ice near Ataakas Camp. A large area of very close to consolidated pack ice remains offshore between Kookoolik and Lietnik. An area of open to close pack ice exists north of Savoonga along the coast to Kangee Camp. 

No major changes to the overall ice pack except for more areas of open water in the middle of the Bering Strait. Shorefast ice looks to be remaining intact though some of the areas behind barrier island and lagoons are beginning to degrade fairly quickly. An area of very open ice exists north of Shishmaref.

This area has not yet started for the 2026 season.

The biggest change from last week is the breakup of shorefast ice along the Nome coastline. Shorefast ice remains intact along the coast north of Sledge Island through Port Clarence.

This area has not yet started for the 2026 season.

Wind Forecast

St. Lawrence Island: 

North winds Friday between 15 and 20 mph (13 - 17 knots) will diminish through the day to 10 to 15 mph (8 - 13 knots), shifting northeast, and continue for most of the weekend. Monday will see an increase in northeasterly winds to 20 - 25 mph (17 - 22 knots), with gusts up to 30 mph (27 knots). These conditions are expected to continue through midweek before gradually diminishing towards the latter half of the week.

Wales to Shish:

North winds Friday between 20 and 25 mph (17 - 22 knots) with gusts to 30 mph (25 knots) will diminish through the day to 10 to 15 mph (8 - 13 knots) and continue for most of the weekend. Monday will see an increase in northeasterly winds to 25 - 30 mph (22 - 27 knots), primarily located near Wales, with conditions continuing through midweek before gradually diminishing towards the latter half of the week and shifting northerly again.

Temperature Forecast

St. Lawrence Island:

Consistent temperatures throughout the week are expected with highs mainly in the upper 30’s to near 40 degrees and lows dropping just below the freezing mark with readings generally the upper 20’s to near 30. 

Wales to Shish:

Consistent temperatures throughout the week are expected with highs mainly in the upper 30’s to near 40 degrees and lows dropping just below the freezing mark with readings generally the upper 20’s to near 30.

St. Lawrence Island:

Winds will likely keep the existing pack ice to the east of Savoonga and keep it flowing around Camp Kulowiye. Expect any remaining shorefast ice to quickly degrade over the next week and become mobile pack ice. 

Wales to Shishmaref:

Expect little change in ice conditions over the next week. Expect the shorefast ice to continue to degrade at though it likely will not break away and move over the next week. 

Nome:

Expect shorefast ice that remains west of Nome to quickly degrade, possibly becoming mobile pack ice in the next week.