Observational Perspectives on Beaufort Sea Ice Breakouts. Issue 1 (29th December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jewell, MacKenzie E.; Hutchings, Jennifer K.
• Is Part Of: Geophysical research letters. Volume 50:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-12-29
• Subjects: Arctic sea ice -- remote sensing -- Beaufort Sea -- leads -- anticyclones -- breakup; Geophysics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Periodicals; Lunar geology -- Periodicals; 550
• DOI: 10.1029/2022GL101408
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-8276

Abstract

Abstract: In winter 2013, a sea ice breakout in the Beaufort Sea produced extensive fracturing and contributed to record ice export. Rheinlænder et al. (2022, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GL099024 ) simulated this event using the neXtSIM sea ice model, reproducing a realistic progression of lead opening and ice drift following the track of an anticyclone. Their simulations indicate strong winds and thin ice are key factors in breakouts. We discuss observational records giving additional insight into the mechanisms controlling breakout events, including the role of wind direction. Breakouts are common and have occurred under weaker winds than in 2013 and in thicker ice of previous decades. During 2013 and other events, patterns of lead opening during breakout followed changes in wind direction relative to the coast with anticyclone position. For skillful predictions of future breakouts, models must reproduce this behavior, and their performance should be assessed across a range of wind and ice conditions. Plain Language Summary: In winter, the Beaufort Sea is covered by a layer of sea ice that is usually frozen against the southern and eastern coastlines that bound the sea. When winds continuously blow from east to west away from these boundaries, the ice cover can tear apart and rapidly drift away from the coasts in what is called a breakout event. The prediction of such dynamic events is important for those who navigate the region. Rheinlænder et al. (2022, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GL099024 ) recently used the neXtSIM sea ice model to simulate realistic ice cracking and drift during an exceptionally strong breakout that occurred in 2013. The authors highlighted strong winds and thin sea ice as key factors for breakout. We use observational records to provide additional insight into processes during Beaufort breakouts. Records of many similar events demonstrate that breakouts are common under weather patterns that produce east‐to‐west winds, even for weaker winds and thicker ice than in 2013. Across observed events, wind direction influences sea ice fracturing patterns and breakout timing. To ensure that model predictions of future sea ice breakouts are accurate, simulations should be compared against observations of multiple recorded events that span a range of wind and ice conditions. Key Points: Observational data provide context for a 2013 Beaufort Sea (BS) breakout simulated with the neXtSIM model by Rheinlænder et al. (2022, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GL099024 ) While the 2013 event was exceptional, winter sea ice breakout is common under anticyclonic winds including in years with thicker ice packs Wind direction relative to the coast influences the timing and location of lead opening during breakout in the BS