Air-Ice-Ocean Interactions and the Delay of Autumn Freeze-Up in the Western Arctic Ocean

Arctic sea ice is becoming a more seasonal phenomenon as direct result of global warming. Across the Arctic, refreezing ocean surface each autumn now occurs full month later than it did just 40 years ago. In western (Canada Basin), delay related to an increase in heat stored waters; cooling freezing point requires loss atmosphere autumn. marginal zone, and process mediated by mixing presence remnant ice, which may precondition for refreezing. The has many impacts, including increased open exposure storms, additional wave energy incident coasts, shifts animal migration patterns, extension time window transit commercial ships along Northern Sea Route. This article reviews observed trends processes responsible these trends, provides brief situ observations from Beaufort that illustrate some processes.