Beaufort Sea Ice Drift Forecasting On-Board the CCGS Amundsen

Abstract

In August 2011, five ice drift forecast models developed in-house were tested on-board the CCGS Amundsen in the southeastern Beaufort Sea west of Banks Island, Northwest Territories. A discussion of the model methodologies and the data inputs to the models are presented. Sample model drift plots from August 15-19, using one of the models, are presented, using both forecast and measured winds. Comparison of forecast versus measured winds for August 16-24 is given. Tables of model result errors compared with measured drift for August 16-24 are shown, using both measured and forecast winds.