Statistical Modeling of the Bering Strait Throughflow for Operational Sea Ice Forecasting in the Chukchi Sea

Abstract

The Arctic Ocean is becoming increasingly accessible to oil and natural gas exploration, marine shipping, tourism, and commercial fishing (United States Navy, 2014). The Chukchi Sea is especially important in this regard; it is resource rich and vessels transiting the Arctic Ocean must pass through it. Consequently, there has been increasing interest in the seasonal forecasting of sea ice conditions in the Chukchi Sea at lead times relevant to stakeholders (Serreze & Meier, 2019).