What Are Ice Models?
Ice models and ice modeling are valuable tools and sources of information when forecasting ice
distribution.
What Are Ice Models?
Ice Models are computer simulations of ice movement and development, starting from information obtained
from various sources (reconnaissance aircraft, satellite images, ship reports, floating buoys, on-site
observations, etc.).
Ice Analysts and Ice Forecasters at the Canadian Ice Service (CIS) use
these models to predict the changing conditions of the ice cover in the country's ice-covered
waters. Because of the complexity of
the atmosphere and ocean environments, only short-term forecasts are possible -
typically 24 to 48 hours
into the future.
Sea ice and icebergs cannot be monitored continuously for various reasons (cost, technological
limitations, human constraints, etc.). Therefore, ice models are useful tools that allow experts to
"fill in the gaps" in the information about ice and/or icebergs provided by various sources (human,
aircraft, satellite).
CIS Modeling Experts focus on two distinct types of modeling activities:
- Sea-ice models, and
- Iceberg models.
Ice Modeling: an International Effort
The number of countries with navigable ice-covered waters is quite limited. Because of this, there
is significant international collaboration in the field of ice modeling. Pooling similar resources
from various Canadian government departments and organizations and countries that maintain ice-service
capabilities, helps support ice-modeling activities at the CIS.
International efforts in ice modeling are mainly aimed at understanding climate change. Ice
represents an important feedback mechanism in the world climate system. Models are typically designed
to better understand this phenomenon, by studying how the polar cap is changing due to climatic
factors.
The CIS endeavors to acquire significant amounts of ice data and provides ice information to help
monitor and understand the changing ice regime. However, the main operational goal in CIS is to
convert model data into real-time forecasting tools for our clients. Canada is in the forefront
of these ice-forecasting activities in support of practical applications.
Questions?
For more information on ice models and ice modeling, please contact us at cis-scg.client@ec.gc.ca.
