Description:

Ice centers provide crucial regional and global information about the location, concentration, and thickness of sea ice and icebergs to scientific, government, military, and commercial shipping interests. Scientific advancements are critical in fulfilling this mission as the polar climate shifts, allowing for additional human activities in the Arctic and Antarctic.  Improved satellite capabilities allow for enhanced real-time information on the ice, coupled atmosphere-ocean-sea ice models allow for better forecasts of ice growth and dynamics, and advancements in software and algorithms allow for the automation of operational products. This session will highlight some of the ongoing research and advancements in sea-ice science and modeling that will help operational ice centers meet the challenges and opportunities of the next decade.  Session sponsored by the U.S. National Ice Center (USNIC).