Infra Red satellite image of Noaa 18 the polar orbiting satellite. Big leads are clearly visible in the Arctic sea ice. Click on the image to see the full display. (c) Image from the Canadian Met Office.

Dixies Last Degree the wind/drift conditions - 9 April
General Situation:  High pressure rules over the Arctic-good conditions. However with the approaching frontal system the wind will increase and wil blow pretty strong as from tomorrow. Together with the low temperatures the risk for frostbite is real.
Remeber that the wind values below give, are average values.

Today 9 april at 89.50/134
wind: 240-270/13-16kt (= 4 bft), after 15utc gradually increasing to 220-240/16-20kt (=5bft), after 00/03utc becoming 20-25kt (=5 à 6bft)
ice drift: positive:  moderate towards ENE
weather: sunny conditions, risk of mist/fog patches, especially close to the open leads.
temperatures: between -24/-28c
 
tomorrow-10 april estimated position 89.65/137
wind: 210-230/20-25kt (=5 à 6bft) no changes till 15/18utc, than gradually decreasing a little: 220-240/13-18kt (=4-5bft)
ice drift: moderate towards NE.
weather: sunny, blowing snow.
temperatures: between -22C and -26c

11 april estimated position 89.65/135
wind: 220-240/13-18kt (=4-5bft), no significant change
ice drift: moderate towards NE
weather: sunny, drifting snow.
temperatures: between -24C and -28C

This image shows the Arcitc Ocean with Greenland and Spitsbergen. As this is an Infra Red picture the darker patches as relatively wamer areas. The cloud free areas of sea ice are bright white because they are very cold, whilst the low cloud are a bit warmer and turn up darker. (c) Image from Canadian Weather Office

Dixies Last Degree the wind/drift conditions - 8 April
General Situation: the team is well in the post frontal area now, with most likely sunny conditions. Still pretty strong wind wich is expected to increase tomorrow. See details below.
Remember that the wind values below given, are average values.

Today 8 april at 89.35/132.25
wind: 230-250/13-16kt (= 4 bft), no significant change during the next 18-24 hours
ice drift: positive:  moderate towards ENE
weather: mostly sunny conditions, risk of fog patches, especially close to the open leads.
temperatures: between -24/-26c tonight -26/-28C
 
tomorrow-9 april estimated position 89.50/140
wind: 240-260/12-16kt (=4bft), after 15/18utc increasing to 230-250/15-20kt (=5bft), after 3utc nxt night increasing to 20-25kt (=6bft)
ice drift: moderate towards ENE to NE, getting stronger.
weather: sunny spells, watch out for windchill!!!!Blowing snow.
temperatures: between -24C and -28C
 
10 april estimated position 89.60/150
wind: 230-250/20-25kt (=5 à 6bft) no significant change till 18/21utc, than slowly/slightly decreasing.
ice drift: moderate towards ENE to NE
weather: sunny, drifting/blowing snow.
temperatures: between -22C and -26C

The Noaa 19 image of today shows the frontal system shifting towards grid South. In the rear of that front we can see the open leads in the Arctic sea ice. Click on the image to see the full display. (c) image from Met Office Canada.

Dixies Last Degree: the wind/drift conditions at 89.130/127.700
Wind direction along E127.700 Meredian
Today
wind: 210-230/5-8ms, no significant change
ice drift: positive:  weak to moderate towards NE
weather: high low level moisture content, possibly resulting in low clouds or freezing fog. No significant change.
temperatures: between -23c and -28C

tomorrow-8 april
wind: 230-250/5-8ms, after 12/15utc becoming 260-280/4-6ms
ice drift: moderate towards NE, shifting to ENE and weakening
weather: similar, becoming drier-
temperatures: between -23C and -27C

9 april
wind: 240-260/6-9ms, after 15/18utc increasing to 230-250/12-15ms
ice drift: moderate towards ENE to NE, getting stronger.
weather: sunny spells, becoming very windy, windchill!!!!Blowing snow.
temperatures: between -27C and -30C