Ice motion vectors are based upon buoy data and a pattern recognition algorithm applied to images of sea ice derived from Microwave data. Please see this reference for more information.
When you select a starting latitude location the motion vector files are read and the parcel is followed from the indicated motion.
Is is possible that the ice may melt on the track. In that case this analysis waits until new ice forms and then it begins tracking that ice parcel in time. Changed: Tracks now terminate when open water occurs for more that 5 days. The raw data .csv file has the refreeze data This water event is indicated by a blue dot on the plots.
To accumulate many plots keep clicking the display
Notice by setting t1 > t2 one will back track the ice motion.
Ice extent maps are interesting to underlay the tracks. Notice this rotates the viewpoint. series. There is no use clicking on an area with no ice at the start.
From time to time files are read by the server when you ask for additional years. We should put in a progress bar for those events.
Ice motion vector plots are single day motion estimates. One can overlay different days on the same plot in different colors for comparing different seasons.
To capture the data, press the download button to get the last track sequence or intantaneous motion vectors.
Notice that the download meteorology is not active yet
We are still experimenting with this so let me know about problems or suggestions for improvements. Email GGC
Web page by G.G. Campbell (NSIDC) July 2013.