Sea Ice Analysis and Forecasting: Towards an Increased Reliance on Automated Prediction Systems

This book provides an advanced introduction to the science behind automated prediction systems, focusing on sea ice analysis and forecasting. Starting from basic principles, fundamental concepts in sea ice physics, remote sensing, numerical methods, and statistics are explained at an accessible level. Existing operational automated prediction systems are described and their impacts on information providers and end clients are discussed. The book also provides insight into the likely future development of sea ice services and how they will evolve from mainly manual processes to increasing automation, with a consequent increase in the diversity and information content of new ice products. With contributions from world-leading experts in the fields of sea ice remote sensing, data assimilation, numerical modelling, and verification and operational prediction, this comprehensive reference is ideal for students, sea ice analysts, and researchers, as well as decision-makers and professionals working in the ice service industry.

Tom Carrieres has over thirty years of experience leading operational ice modelling activities for the Canadian Ice Service. These activities include development, implementation and testing of automated prediction systems, iceberg drift and deterioration models, general circulation models, and extended range statistical models. Tom co-chairs International Ice Charting Working Group Data Assimilation Workshops and Canadian Sea Ice Model Working Group meetings to facilitate collaboration among Canadian and international experts.

Mark Buehner is a research scientist working for Environment and Climate Change Canada, and is considered an international expert in data assimilation. He is the scientific lead in Canada for the development of data assimilation systems for both operational sea ice prediction and global deterministic weather prediction. Mark is also a member of the Data Assimilation and Observing Systems Working Group of the World Meteorological Organization.

Jean-François Lemieux is a research scientist working for Environment and Climate Change Canada. His work includes the development of numerical algorithms, physical parameterizations and verification methods for sea ice modelling. He is one of the leading developers of the McGill sea ice model and also contributes to the development of the CICE sea ice model. Jean-François is strongly involved in the development and implementation of automated ice-ocean prediction systems.

Leif Toudal Pedersen has over thirty years of experience in sea ice remote sensing activities at the Technical University of Denmark and the Danish Meteorological Institute. These activities include development, implementation and testing of sea ice information retrieval algorithms for a number of sea ice variables such as sea ice concentration, sea ice drift and sea ice type. Leif co-chairs International Ice Charting Working Group Data Assimilation Workshops and for many years has worked to facilitate collaboration among sea ice experts worldwide.