1. Organization
The national ice service is provided by National Marine Environment Forecast Center (NMEFC),State Ocean Administration (SOA). Major users of the services are China Offshore Oil Bohai Corporation (COOBC) and coastal and harbour activities. In the period from December to March, ice observation and forecasting services are provided for the Bohai Sea and the northern Yellow Sea. The ice services for local operation and specific task are provided by the Group of Sea Ice Management (GSIM) of COOBC. Ice forecasting service is also provided by Qingdao Marine Forecasting Observatory (QMFO) of SOA.
2. Data acquisition
Sea ice type, thickness, concentration and temperature are operationally measured according to ”The Specification for Offshore Observations” (GB/T 14914-94, SOA) at 11 coastal stations along the Bohai Sea and the northern Yellow Sea. Icebreakers are used by the Navy and COOBC for operational observations of sea ice edge, thickness and type according to ”The Specification for Oceanographic Survey” (GB/T 12763-91, SOA) and for special survey. Ice condition reports are also provided by SOA patrol ship. The ice temperature, thickness and type are obtained from aerial remote sensing and the aerial survey of sea ice are provided as one of the operational observations during January to February. The North Sea Branch (Qingdao) of SOA manages the operation of a dedicated aircraft equipped for ice reconnaissance missions in the Liaodong Gulf, Bohai Gulf, Laizhou Bay and in the shore of northern Yellow Sea. The helicopter reconnaissance flight is managed by COOBC for special missions. Radar imagery from Bayuquan station of SOA and real-time ice data at the platform JZ-20-2 (40º27N, 121º17E) in the Liaodong Gulf are provided daily. The visible and infrared satellite imagery from NOAA (AVHRR) and the visible imagery from GMS are received by NMEFC and used for monitoring and forecasting of sea ice in the Bohai Sea and the northern Yellow Sea.
3. Output products
(a) Chart Output
A ice chart on the scale 1:2 000 000 (Mercator projection), showing ice conditions in the Bohai Sea using the international system of sea-ice symbols, is transmitted weekly by facsimile and computer network from GSIM to each sea area and related units (Fig.II-1, Annex II). The analyzed chart of ice concentration, thickness and edge on the same base is prepared daily and transmitted by NMEFC (fig.II-2 and fig.II-3, Annex II). A 1-5 day numerical sea ice forecast chart, covering the Bohai Sea and the northern Yellow Sea, is prepared daily by NMEFC and transmitted by facsimile and computer network to COOBC, companies for shipping and other units (fig.II-4, Annex II).
(b) Coded Output
Forecasted fields of ice concentration, thickness and velocity at grid points in tenths of degrees of latitude and longitude, at 12-hour intervals up to 120-hour and analyzed fields are transmitted daily by computer network.
(c) Plain Language
(1) Plain-language ice information with images and 10-day outlook
of ice condition in the Bohai Sea and the northern Yellow Sea are prepared
by NMEFC and are disseminated from CCTV and the radio at each 10-day during
winter.
(2) A long-range outlook for the next winter is prepared and
mailed. It is also transmitted by facsimile in October from NMEFC.
(3) A 10-day forecast and an outlook up to one month are mailed
and transmitted by facsimile for each 10-day and month period from NMEFC
and QMFO respectively.
(4) A Sea Ice Management Brief Report including sea ice conditions,
forecasts of ice and weather for the next week, information about sea ice
monitoring and forecasting, as well as suggestion to coastal and offshore
operation is prepared by GSIM, and mailed and transmitted by facsimile
weekly from GSIM.
4. Forecasts
Numerical sea ice forecasts for up to 5-day ahead for the Bohai Sea
and the northern Yellow Sea are prepared daily by NMEFC using a thermodynamic-dynamic
ice model. The forecast products contain fields of ice thickness, concentration
and velocity, ice edge, parameters of ice ridge and local estimate of ice
thickness and tracks of ice floes near drilling platforms.
The 10-day and the 30-day forecasts are prepared using statistical
methods to determine ice-edge, mean and maximum of ice thickness in Liaodong
Gulf, Bohai Gulf, Laizhou Bay and northern Yellow Sea by NMEFC and QMFO/SOA.
The long-range seasonal outlook is prepared using statistical methods
to estimate the ierarchy of ice conditions of the Bohai Sea and the northern
Yellow Sea in the next winter.
5. Publications
The China Ocean Annuals, China Marine Environment Annual Report and China Marine Disaster Bulletin (all in Chinese) are annually prepared by SOA. These publications include sea ice conditions and disaster and activities about sea ice for the year.
6. Mailing addresses
National Marine Environment Forecast Center,
8, Dahuisi Rd., Haidian District
Beijing, 100081,
China
Qingdao Marine Forecasting Observatory of SOA
22 Fushun Road,
Qingdao, 266033,
China
Group of Sea Ice Management
C/o General Dispatch Office
China Offshore Oil Bohai Corporation
P.O. Box 501 Tanggu
Tianjin 300452
China
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JAPAN
1. Organization
Sea-ice information services in Japan are provided by two governmental agencies: the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and the Maritime Safety Agency (MSA) mainly for fishing, shipping, and coastal and harbour activities.
2. Data acquisition
The sea-ice on the Sea of Okhotsk and the northern part of the Japan
Sea is mainly formed from December to May.
Seven weather stations of the JMA and eight stations of the MSA make
daily visual ice observations on amount of sea-ice, concentration, speed
and direction of floe etc. Patrol ships of the MSA routinely report the
sea-ice conditions such as kind of sea-ice, concentration, ice thickness
and difficulties of navigation. The two agencies exchange these data by
telefax, and disseminate derived products to users.
Aerial observations (30 or more times per year) are carried out, at the request from the JMA, by the Japan Defense Agency (JDA). MSA also conducts aerial observations 10 or more times per year. Each aerial observation chart is used for sea-ice analysis in JMA and MSA.
Visible, infrared satellite images from the Geostationary Meteorological Satellite (GMS) and NOAA, and passive microwave satellite sounding data from the US Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) are utilized for sea-ice analysis by JMA and MSA. The Institute of Low Temperature Science of Hokkaido University provides JMA and MSA with radar observations along the north-eastern coast of Hokkaido by telefax. The radar imagery is also available on Internet for public usage (URL: http://www.hokudai.ac.jp/lowtemp/sirl/sirl-e.html).
3. Output products
(a) Sea-ice condition charts of the JMA are broadcast by meteorological radio facsimile on short waves (call sign: JMH) twice a week (Tuesdays and Fridays). The chart covers the Sea of Okhotsk, the Sea of Japan, the northern part of the Yellow Sea, Po-Hai, the vicinity of Hokkaido, the Kuril Islands and the Kamchatka. The chart shows ice edges and five classes of sea-ice concentration with a description on sea-ice movements in plain language. Example of the chart is given on fig.VII-1 (Annex VII).
(b) Numerical sea-ice forecast charts for coming seven days are made by the JMA. The forecast chart is objectively prepared by a numerical sea-ice model, in which physical processes of formation/melting and drift of sea-ice due to wind and ocean current are considered. The charts depicts the expected distribution and concentration of sea-ice two and seven days ahead are broadcast by meteorological radio facsimile (call sign: JMH) twice a week (Wednesdays and Saturdays). Examples of the forecast charts are given on fig.VII-2 (Annex VII).
(c) Coastal sea-ice information in plain language and detailed chart and forecasts are prepared by local meteorological offices of the JMA and are disseminated to the authorities for disaster prevention of local governments and the news media etc. The Ice Information Center of the First Regional Maritime Safety Headquarters of MSA also disseminates the daily coastal sea-ice chart by telefax and Internet (URL: http://www.jhd.go.jp/cue/KAN1/1center.html).
4. Publications
"Monthly Ocean Report": Monthly publication of JMA, which contains the sea-ice conditions in the Sea of Okhotsk and in the Polar Regions.
"Results of Sea Ice Observations": Annual publication of JMA which contains the annual summary of sea-ice conditions with 5-day sea-ice charts in the Sea of Okhotsk and monthly sea-ice charts in the polar regions.
"Kaihyou Sokuhou" (Prompt report of sea-ice): Every 10-day issue of the First Regional Maritime Safety Headquarters of MSA, for description of the daily coastal sea-ice conditions.
"Kaiyou Gaihou---Kaihyou-hen" (Summary report of oceanographic condition---special issue of sea-ice): Annual publication of the First Regional Maritime Safety Headquarters of MSA, which conditions the annual summary of coastal sea-ice conditions.
5. Mailing and Internet addresses
Maritime Meteorological Division
Climate and Marine Department
Japan Meteorological Agency
1-3-4 Ote-machi, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 100-8122,
Japan
Internet: http://www.kishou.go.jp/
(in Japanese)
Internet: http://www.jodc.jhd.go.jp/inf/institute/jma/jma.html
(In English)
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RUSSIAN FEDERATION
1. Organization
Sea-ice information services in Russia are provided by the center of ice hydrometeorological information at the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute in St.Petersburg (AARI), and also by the Hydro-Meteorological Center in Moscow (Hydrometcenter) and eight local hydro-meteorological offices in the Arctic, all belonging to the Russian Federal Hydro-Meteorological Service (Roshydromet). AARI provides centralized services mainly for shipping and coastal and harbour activities within the Northen Sea Route, for the Central Arctic Basin and Arctic seas – Greenland, Kara, Laptevs, Eastern-Siberian, Chukha as well as for the seas with the seasonal ice cover – Baltic, White, Bering, Okhotsk and also Antarctic seas.
2. Data acquisition
Coastal weather polar stations of Roshydromet make daily visual and instrumental ice observations on sea ice concentration and stages of ice development, ice thickness, forms of ice, ice drift etc. Icebreakers routinely report the same mentioned main ice parameters plus parameters describing ice navigation.
Before 1994 aircraft ice reconnaissance flights were conducted in the Arctic mainly on the monthly scale during interval between navigation (November-April) and on 10-days scale during navigation in summer. From 1995 air ice reconnaissance flights are conducted only occasionally during hydro-meteorological support of certain applied and scientific activities. Scope of ice information collected during air ice reconnaissance include visual observations both on main ice parameters (mentioned above excluding thickness and ice drift) as well as navigational ones as location, orientation and form of ice boundary, polynyas, leads, cracks and channels and additional ones as hummocks and ridges concentration, level of compacting, snow cover and ice contamination concentrations and stages of melting (in summer period). Airborne instrumental observations include radar (SLAR) images and radar thickness measurements. Collected data are fixed onboard by ice observer in log-books and in mapped form and further are used for sea-ice analysis at AARI or local meteorological offices.
AARI satellite reception station provides visible and infrared satellite images both from Russian (METEOR, OKEAN, RESURS) and USA (NOAA) satellites. OKEAN satellite also provides SLAR and passive microwave sounding data. All data are utilized for sea-ice analysis by AARI. Sample products received at AARI and station reception mask are available via AARI web page.
AARI, Hydrometcenter and the eight local meteorological offices of the Rosgydromet exchange described sea-ice data by facsimile, telex and Internet and disseminate derived products to users. In the case AARI operational center lacks initial data to compile an ice map for specific area, necessary information is requested and if available, is obtained within several hours via communicational relays.
3. Output products
(a) Common usage sea-ice condition charts of the Arctic and Antarctic are available via AARI web page for public usage weekly. Charts depict ice boundary and five classes of sea-ice concentration in summer period or stages of development (thickness) in winter period. Also supplied is a description on sea-ice movements in plain language. Sample sea-ice conditions charts for the Arctic and for the Antarctic are presented on fig.X-1 and fig.X-2 (Annex X).
(b) Common usage numerical forecast charts of mean daily drift of sea ice, currents and level elevation for six days in advance are available on AARI web page for public usage weekly. Forecast charts are prepared on the basis of the output from thermo-dynamical and dynamical sea-ice models run at AARI. Sample sea-ice forecast charts for sea ice drift are presented on fig.X-3a and fig.X-3b (Annex X).
(c) Detailed sea-ice conditions and forecast charts and coastal sea-ice information in plain language are prepared on request and/or on different time scales by AARI and local meteorological offices of Rosgydromet and are disseminated to the authorities of local governments for disaster prevention, shipping companies, news media etc. Sample detailed sea-ice chart is presented on fig.X-4 (Annex X) for Pechora Sea.
(d) From winter 1998/1999 AARI started to compile daily ice conditions charts for the Gulf of Finland, sample chart is presented on fig.X-5 (Annex X).
4. Publications
Following publications are issued by AARI with different periodicity:
(a) “Trudi AANII” (AARI Transactions). 2-3 volumes are published per
year.
(b) “Problemi Arktiki i Antarktiki” (Problems of Arctic and Antarctic).
1-2 volumes are published per year.
(c) Express information, informational bulletins of Russian Antarctic
expedition, monographs etc.
Complete list of AARI publications from 1990 till present moment is available for common usage via AARI web page (in Russian).
5. Mailing and Internet addresses
Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute
38 Bering str., St.Petersburg, Russia, 199397
telephone.:+7(812)352-1520
telefax: +7(812)352-2688
e-mail: service@aari.nw.ru
Internet: http://www.aari.nw.ru
Internet: ftp://aari.nw.ru
[Content]
North-east Atlantic and Baltic Sea areas
DENMARK
Two government institutions in Denmark issue sea ice information:
The Danish Ice Service was transferred from the Danish Ministry of Commerce to the Danish Ministry of Defense in January 1996 and is now operated by Admiral Danish Fleet HQ situated in Århus. The Danish Ice Service consists of two parts; the ice reporting and the icebreaking services respectively. The Danish Ice Service is assisting navigation in Danish waters and harbors. The Danish Ice Service has four icebreakers and some icebreaking tugs at it’s disposal for icebreaking purpose. The Icebreaking Service collaborates closely with the German, Swedish and Finnish icebreaking services and all ships entering the area are subject to the same regulations concerning icebreaker assistance in all the countries. The Danish Ice reporting Service is distributing ice information daily (in English and Danish) by coastal radio station Lyngby. The information contains a short review of the ice and navigational conditions in Danish domestic waters.
2. Data acquisition
Visual surface observations are reported daily from approximately 140 ice observers, who reports the ice conditions for about 260 different sections in Danish domestic waters. Visual surface observations are typically received from harbor authorities, some ferries and all the ships of the Danish Navy including the Danish icebreakers. Satellite images or dedicated flight reconnaissance are not being utilized. Observers are reporting daily information concerning ice concentration, thickness, type and navigational conditions to Admiral Danish Fleet HQ.
3. Output products
(a) Ice charts
Compiled ice charts (Annex III) are mailed as a weekly (or daily) annex to the Danish ice bulletin.
(b) Coded information
Coded sea ice information from 48 areas in Danish waters is issued once a day in the Baltic Ice Code and is distributed by coastal radio station Lyngby by radiotelephony and radiotelegraphy. Coded sea ice information is also issued to Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia and Sweden daily by TELEX or TELEFAX. The specific waterways are identified by an alphanumeric code, nine districts of six areas each. The ice information is also mailed to various agencies and ship owners.
(c) Plain language information
Sea ice reports – a description of the ice conditions at sea, operational areas for icebreakers - issued in Danish and English once a day are transmitted nation-wide through Denmark Radio and via coastal radio station Lyngby. The sea ice reports are also transmitted via TELEX or TELEFAX to the Baltic Sea countries once a day.
4. Forecasts
Forecasts are only given in qualitative form indicating, for example, that ice is likely to compact, grow or melt rapidly, drifting into the area or out of the area, etc. during the next 24 hours.
5. Statistics
No weekly or monthly summaries are issued. An annual publication indicating the number of frost days, freezing degree-days, etc. from selected stations and number of days with various ice types present at each reporting site is made. Further, the annual report may contain several statistics comparing various years.
6. Mailing address
Søværnets Operative Kommando
Istjenesten
Postboks 483
DK-8100 Århus C
DENMARK
telephone:
+45 89 43 30 99,
+45 89 43 32 53 (Ice-Breaking Service and Ice-reporting Service)
telefax: +45 89 43 32 30
telephone answering unit: + 45 89 32 44.
telex: 64527 SHIPPOS DK
e-mail: bk4@sok.dk (Attention.: Danish
Ice Service)
II. THE DANISH METEOROLOGICAL INSTITUTE
1. Organization
The Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI) is responsible for sea ice monitoring and information for the Greenland Waters. The purpose of the sea ice mapping is to aid navigation and to provide strategic and tactical support in the Greenland waters. The main areas of concern are the waters around Cape Farewell. Furthermore, the ice outside the Cape Farewell area is mapped in selected periods and regions, depending on navigational needs and the actual ice distribution.
DMI operates a two branch ice service. At Narsarsuaq Airfield in South Greenland, the DMI Ice Observation and Warning Service, ‘Ice Central Narsarsuaq’ was established in 1959. A specially equipped Twin-Otter is permanently chartered for about 2½ months during the summer, when melt water on the ice surface complicates the interpretation of SAR images, while ship piloting and ice reconnaissance of the South Greenland inshore routes and the inner parts of the Julianehåb Bay is carried out year round by a dedicated helicopter. The ice observers - there are currently five of them - are all ships officers with a thorough knowledge of navigating in the Greenland waters. They are on loan from the shipping company Arctic Umiaq Line (AUL). Four of the officers now serve at Narsarsuaq where a twenty-four-hour watch duty is maintained so that calls are answered and ice piloting can be provided at short notice. The fifth officer is now permanently stationed at DMI in Copenhagen.
The second branch, ‘Ice and Remote Sensing Division’, is located at the Danish Meteorological Institute in Copenhagen, Denmark. The launch of RADARSAT with its ScanSar Wide capabilities marked the beginning of a new era and satellite data are now the main data source for the production of ice charts for all Greenland Waters, except in the melt season (Cape Farewell). The mapping on satellite data takes place at DMI in close coordination with the office in Narsarsuaq. Also NOAA-AVHRR and to some extent DMSP-SSM/I are important data sources in the Ice Service. Satellite data are always analyzed by experienced and special trained ice analysts.
No ice breaking service is provided except for a few local arrangements. Ship piloting in ice covered waters is coordinated by Ice Central Narsarsuaq. Ships and shipping companies can order existing routine ice charting information free of charge, while special services (e.g. piloting or information requiring separate flights or additional acquisition of radar images) in principle are delivered against a marginal fee, unless there is an immediate safety risk. Special services for the offshore industry, among these are tactical and strategic support for seismic profiling, are always covered by fees.
2. Data acquisition
Visual observations from helicopter and visual/radar observations from aircraft. NOAA-AVHRR-, RADARSAT- and DMSP-SSM/I-imagery resampled, geocoded and displayed by special dedicated computers and software for sea ice mapping. Actual meteorological information (observations, model output) is utilized when analyzing the satellite data.
3. Output products
Ice charts for the Cape Farewell area are updated and issued 3-4 times a week when sea ice occurs. Outside the melt season a new ice chart is published once a week
Ice charts, primarily based NOAA-AVHRR and RADARSAT, for other areas in Greenland are produced 1-6 times weekly depending on the actual ice situation and navigational needs.
Ice conditions near or in shore ship routes in South Greenland are mapped on a weekly basis.
A weekly summary chart for all Greenland waters is published once per
week.
Ice charts follow international standards (Egg code) and are published
by use of telefax, INMARSAT, facsimile and Internet. Further, ice information
is broadcasted by radio, radiolinks, telex, telephone and mail.
Samples of output products are in given in Annex III.
4. Forecasts
No forecasts are given.
5. Publications
No weekly or monthly summaries are prepared.
6. Mailing and Internet addresses
Danmarks Meteorologiske Institut
Lyngbyvej 100
DK-2100 Copenhagen
DENMARK
Iscentralen Narsarsuaq
3923 Narsarsuaq
GREENLAND
Internet: http://www.dmi.dk (DMI main
page)
Internet: http://www.dmi.dk/vejr/gron/iskort.html
(ice charts)
Internet: http://iserit.greennet.gl/isc/ice/
(ice charts)
e-mail: isc@greennet.gl
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