Introduction

This web page was designed by the Palmer LTER to illustrate sea ice variability in the WAP region. The information is intended to aid in the planning of field activities - both at Palmer Station and aboard NSF's research vessels during cruise periods.

The WAP region is a highly dynamic coastal/continental shelf zone that is directly exposed to the prevailing westerly atmospheric and oceanic circulation and is annual swept by the advance and retreat of seasonal sea ice. Thus, the information below serves to illustrate how variable this seasonal sea ice environment is. We make no attempt to predict an upcoming season's sea ice extent, although we do show that sea ice in this region does covary strongly with both air temperatures and SOI.

Interpreting Passive Microwave Satellite Images

WAP Monthy Images by Year (1991-2001)

• With 1991-01 mean
• With 1978-01 mean
• Comparisons of Mean
  • 1978-01 vs 1991-01 (pdf)
  • 1978-01 vs 1980-89 (pdf)
  • 1980-89 vs 1990-01 (pdf)
• Comparisons of Standard Deviation
  • 1990-01 vs 1980-89 (pdf)
  • 1980-89 vs 1990-01 (pdf)
• Figure Legend

Plots and Data of Palmer LTER Sea-Ice

• Annual Curves of Daily sea-ice extent (1/1992 - 6/2003) (pdf)
• Annual Curves of Monthly sea-ice extent, area and open water (1/1979 - 9/2002) (pdf)
• Comparisons between adjusted and unadjusted 1990's SSMI data (gif) (pdf)
• Contour Plot of Month vs Year of Palmer LTER sea-ice extent (1/79-6/2001) (color pdf) (b/w pdf)
• Monthly averages of sea-ice extent and area in the Palmer LTER grid (10/1978-09/2001) (data) UPDATED

Animation of Passive Microwave Satellite Images of Sea Ice

• WAP: Yearly by Month (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep 1990-1999)
• WAP and SO: Monthly (1980s and 1990s)
• WAP: Daily by Month (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep 1999)

(Note that the animation begins after the images are first downloaded, and this may require some patience, especially for the 1980s and 1990s monthly animation.)

WAP Sea Ice Versus Other Climate Variables

• WAP sea ice extent (SIE) vs Faraday Surface Air temperature (SAT) and SOI (1979-99)
• WAP SIE, Faraday SAT, SOI, Nino3.4 1990s
• WAP SIE, Faraday SAT, SOI 1998-2001

A Few Great links: Guides to Sea Ice Observations

• Sea Ice Observations (SCAR/Australia-CD)
• Sea Ice in Polar Regions/The Arctic Observatory (CIESIN/Canada-CD)
• Observers's Guide to Sea Ice (NOAA/Alaska-online) (Pdf)

A Sample of Ice Analyses from the National Ice Center (NIC)

• Weekly NIC animation (07/24/00-12/25/00 and 01/01/01-04/02/01)
• Jul 24, 2000
• Aug 14, 2000
• Sep 18, 2000
• Oct 09, 2000
• Oct 16, 2000

Palmer LTER Refs on Sea-Ice/Climate Variability

• Stammerjohn, S. E., M. R. Drinkwater, R. C. Smith, and X. liu. 2003. Ice-atmosphere interactions during sea-ice advance and retreat in the western Antarctic Peninsula region, Journal of Geophysical Research, 108 (C10), 10.1029/2002JC001543.
• Smith, R. C., and S. E. Stammerjohn. 2001. Variations of surface air temperature and sea ice extent in the western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) region, Annals of Glaciology, 33, 493-500.
• Smith, R. C., K. S. Baker, and S. E. Stammerjohn. 1998. Exploring sea ice indexes for polar ecosystem studies. BioScience 48: 83-93.
• Stammerjohn, S. E., and R. C. Smith. 1997. Opposing Southern Ocean climate patterns as revealed by trends in regional sea ice coverage. Climatic Change 37: 617-639.
• Smith, R. C., S. E. Stammerjohn, and K. S. Baker. 1996. Surface air temperature variations in the western Antarctic peninsula region. Pages 105-121 in R. M. Ross, E. E. Hofmann, and L. B. Quetin, eds. Foundations for Ecological Research West of the Antarctic Peninsula. Antarctic Research Series (70), AGU, Washington, DC.
• Stammerjohn, S. E., and R. C. Smith. 1996. Spatial and temporal variability of western Antarctic Peninsula sea ice coverage. Pages 81-104 in R. M. Ross, E. E. Hofmann, and L. B. Quetin, eds. Foundations for Ecological Research West of the Antarctic Peninsula. Antarctic Research Series (70), AGU, Washington, DC.

Send questions or comments to:

Dr. Raymond Smith

Sharon Stammerjohn