The Sea Ice Predication Network Phase 2 (SIPN2) announces the release of the 2019 August Sea Ice Outlook (SIO) Report. The Sea Ice Outlook, an effort managed by SIPN2, provides an open process for those interested in Arctic sea ice to share ideas.
The monthly reports contain a variety of perspectives from advanced numerical models to qualitative perspectives from citizen scientists. The SIO provides an open process for those interested in Arctic sea ice to share predictions and ideas; the Outlook is not an operational forecast.
A record number of 42 pan-Arctic outlook contributions were received for the August report. Also included in those contributions were seven pan-Antarctic predictions, 11 regional predictions for Alaskan waters, and five for the Hudson Bay region.
For the August report, the pan-Arctic median value for the September 2019 sea-ice extent is 4.22 million square kilometers with quartile values of 4.0 and 4.4 million square kilometers. Although pan-Arctic sea-ice extent was tracking very close to the record minimum of 2012 from mid-June through mid-August, the rate of melt slowed down in late August. A record minimum extent is not expected for 2019, unless late summer storm activity consolidates ice extent.