Variability of the ice area and the possibility of achieving an ice-free regime in the Barents Sea

Abstract

The results of the analysis of the interannual variability of the Barents Sea ice area, including trends in the area of sea ice distribution for the period 1979-2018 based on remote sensing data, are presented. The analysis of trends is based on a dimensionless trend index, which allows comparing different areas of sea ice distribution. Estimates of the Barents Sea ice-free regime in January and August are presented on the basis of extrapolation of trends for the period 1979-2018. The ice-free regime of the Barents Sea in January is expected in 2055, in August - 2026.