The Relationship Between Meteorological Factors and Ice Conditions in Hudson Bay

Abstract

<p> This study focuses on the relations hip between ice cover and wind frequency, wind speed and air temperature. Results showed that there are four distinct MELT periods along the west coast of Hudson Bay. With a standardized MELT period, stations are generally higher correlated with their southern neighbours. Onshore wind frequencies increased signficantly from the NOMELT to the MELT period, and were associated with air temperatures 3 to 4 degrees Celsius colder than those of offshore winds. </p> <p> Mean air temperature was most highly correlated with percent ice cover. Ice cover was most strongly correlated with mean air temperature at Chesterfield Inlet and least so at Churchill. Thus, freeze-up and melt at Chesterfield Inlet are most strongly influenced by air temperature whereas at Churchill, other factors, presumably wind direction and currents, strongly influence the ice cover. Ice cover was most strongly influenced by air temperature during the NOMELT period. This shows that cold temperatures hasten freezeback more than warm temperatures hasten MELT. </p>