Scientists report 11 of 15 Hudson Bay sites have been cooling since 2000.

[cancel2 2022]

Landfast sea ice in Hudson Bay and James Bay: Annual cycle, variability and trends, 2000–2019

Through analysis of Canadian Ice Service ice charts, we have characterized the temporal and spatial variability of landfast sea ice (or fast ice) surrounding Hudson Bay and James Bay from 2000 to 2019. Over this 19-year period, we observed contrasting changes in fast-ice persistence between the western and eastern sides of Hudson Bay and James Bay. Fast ice in western Hudson Bay and James Bay trended towards later freeze-up and earlier break-up that resulted in a shortening of the fast-ice season at a rate of 6 days/decade. Contrastingly, eastern Hudson Bay and James Bay showcased relatively earlier freeze-up and delayed break-up, and an overall trend towards a longer fast-ice season at a rate of 8 days/decade. The general trend in air temperature followed a similar spatial pattern to the changing fast-ice persistence; however, the timing of fast-ice break-up did not have a strong relationship with the thawing-degree days during spring. Variations in fast-ice area showed latitudinal and meridional gradients, with greater fast-ice area in eastern Hudson Bay and James Bay compared to the west. Given the overall warming trend in the Arctic, observing areas of decreasing fast-ice persistence is unexpected; however, this study highlights the role of regional factors, such as coastal orientation and bathymetry, in controlling the stability, growth and decay of fast ice.

https://online.ucpress.edu/elementa/article/10/1/00073/169461

 

[Earl]

5. Conclusions

"In this study we have provided a comprehensive analysis of fast-ice regimes and their variability along approximately 10,000 km of coastline in Hudson Bay and James Bay. Our results show that between 2000 and 2019 trends towards delayed freeze-up and earlier break-up led to an overall shorter fast-ice season in western Hudson Bay. Conversely, the duration of fast ice in eastern Hudson Bay increased during this time. A similar pattern was observed in James Bay with fast-ice duration decreasing along the western and southern coast while fast-ice duration increased along the east coast. Trends towards later freeze-up generally correlated with increasing air temperatures, while trends towards earlier break-up did not correlate with air temperatures, highlighting the influence of dynamics (winds and currents) on fast-ice break-up."

I would conclude that the fast ice duration depends on the location in Hudson Bay and James Bay, not just air temperature only.

I spent some time on Baffin Island and Resolution Island (now called Nunavut Island).

Temps. down to -50 degrees F. and winds 60-70 mph.