Sea ice in the Bering Sea has been expanding this month, although the rate of increase in the total extent has been a bit slower than normal. Given the slow start to the sea ice season in the autumn, the overall average sea ice extent since November 1 in the Bering is the lowest since the winter of 2020-21 and the sixth lowest since the late 1970s.
Sea ice has yet to reach St Matthew Island. Last year, the leading edge of the ice was already at St Matthew by this point in the season.
On the plus side, we have seen shorefast ice set up in some areas, and firm ice was reported for the first time this winter between the Diomede Islands. Whether any of that holds with additional mild and at times stormy weather remains to be seen.
There is still, though, plenty of time for sea ice to expand and to do its part in maintaining that Bering Sea cold pool, which is so important to our marine ecosystem.