By: Alex
This week on the 26th (Tuesday), the city of Monbetsu in eastern Hokkaido announced the “First Day of Drift Ice Arrival” (the first day that floating ice reaches the shore). Every winter, drift ice from the Sea of Okhotsk off Russia’s north coast is carried by ocean currents to the eastern part of Hokkaido along the Sea of Okhotsk coast. Compared to previous years, this year’s “First Day of Drift Ice Arrival” came 13 days earlier than last year and 11 days earlier than the average over the years.
▲ Drift ice reaches the shores of Monbetsu earlier this week (Photo by aya_hishinuma @IG)
Located about 80 kilometers southeast of Monbetsu, the city of Abashiri’s local meteorological observatory announced the “First Day of Drift Ice” on the 17th. Residents can now see the drift ice on the Sea of Okhotsk with the naked eye from the land in Abashiri. Compared to previous years, this year’s “First Day of Drift Ice” in Abashiri came 23 days earlier than last year and 4 days earlier than usual. Abashiri is generally the southern limit for drift ice, but a small amount can still bypass the Shiretoko Peninsula and flow into Nemuro Strait.
▲ Early in the morning on the 26th at Cape Notsuke, small fragments of drift ice floated on the sea surface. (Photo by akito385 @IG)
▲ Cape Notsuke is located about 10 kilometers north of Abashiri City. (Photo by aurora_cruise @IG)
The drift ice in the Sea of Okhotsk is also known as the “Winter Messenger.” When the drift ice arrives, it signals that regular ships can no longer navigate, but sightseeing icebreakers can begin operations. The icebreakers sail through the drift ice area for about an hour, clearly carving curved wakes on the ocean, creating a striking contrast between the blue sea and white drift ice. Moreover, when the weather is clear, passengers on the icebreaker can also enjoy views of the Shiretoko Mountain Range in the distance to the south.
▲ The Sea of Okhotsk as seen from Abashiri. (Photo by canon_photo21 @IG)
▲ Photo taken on the 29th from a sightseeing icebreaker. (Photo by aurora_cruise @IG)
▲ On the 26th, small pieces of drift ice reached Cape Notsuke. (Photo by miki.f.130 @IG)
▲ Drift ice reaching Cape Notsuke. (Photo by miki.f.130 @IG)
▲ The Shiretoko Mountain Range viewed from Cape Notsuke. (Photo by flsts.ey @IG)
▲ The day after the “First Day of Drift Ice,” drift ice floated along the coast near Abashiri. (Photo by yomiuri_aviation_dept @IG)
▲ The day after the “First Day of Drift Ice,” a cargo ship sailed through the drift ice. (Photo by yomiuri_aviation_dept @IG)
▲ The Aurora, a sightseeing icebreaker in Abashiri, sailing on the drift ice. (Photo taken on February 11, 2020, Photo by aurora_cruise @IG)
▲ Floating ice in the Sea of Okhotsk. (Photo by a_ki_raaaaa @IG)
Source: Asahi News Network