Spatio-temporal regularities of the White Sea ice regime formation

Abstract

The paper presents the spatial and temporal regularities of the course of ice processes in the White Sea, derived from satellite data observations for the period 2004-2020. The dependences, defining indicative dates of the White Sea ice regime of air temperature regime over its water area are given, which can be used for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. It is noted that the connection with the Barents Sea has a significant impact on the course of the ice regime of the White Sea, in particular, on the beginning freeze-up phase and the beginning break-up phase. Comparative analysis of seasonal variations in ice coverage in the White Sea indicates that the course of the ice regime in recent years generally corresponds to how it happened in the second half of the XX century, however, a decrease in average values of ice coverage by 3-7% was recorded throughout the entire period of ice phenomena, which is in line with the global warming trend. Also, the results of the effects of abnormally warm winter on the formation of the White Sea ice regime of 2019-2020 are presented.