We probably shouldn't be surprised anymore after all the dramatic weather and climate events that have occurred in the region over the past decade. Still, it's jarring to see open water nearly to the beach in Nome during February and shorefast ice breaking away February in front of Nome might be a first.
In 2019, the near shore ice broke away in early March. Persistently mild weather this winter certainly has played a role. It's also likely that the frequently strong northeast to east winds that we've had are also a factor.
You might wonder if this unusual event tells us anything about the upcoming spring. The short answer turns out to be no. Mild winters have been followed by very chilly springs, for instance in 2001, while sometimes mild winters are followed by equally mild springs, as happened in 2016.
However, with the Bering Sea ice edge well north of average, the chances do increase that we'll see another snowy spring.
