Freezing Spray Project
About the Program
In partnership with the Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS), Tetra Tech (formerly Axiom Data Science), Marine Exchange of Alaska (MXAK), the Northern Latitudes Partnership (NLP), and the National Weather Service (NWS).
Ice accumulation due to freezing spray conditions is one of the leading causes of marine fatalities in Alaska, and a serious concern for fishermen in all northern waters. In 2023, the National Weather Service launched the Freezing Spray project in partnership with AOOS, MXAK, Tetra Tech, NLP, and Skipper Science to improve the model used for their Freezing Spray forecasting product. The Skipper Science Partnership has facilitated an on-the-water perspective of ice accumulation rates and actual conditions through participants in the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea. The fishermen who have participated used the Skipper Science App to complete a quick and easy data entry form co-developed by project partners to provide photos and on-the-water data on actual conditions that can be compared with the forecasted Freezing Spray conditions. The data is available to view through the AOOS Ocean Data Explorer portal.
This initiative aims to establish a community-based monitoring program utilizing the Skipper Science app, leveraging the expertise of individuals in commercial fisheries across remote regions to enhance freezing spray guidance.
Learn more here:
Project Partners
