The ice factory of Hudson Bay

Within the dynamic seasonal ice cover of Hudson Bay, Kivalliq Polynya is a large latent heat polynya that forms throughout winter in northwest as result strong northwesterly offshore surface winds. Polynyas are known to be physically, biologically, and geochemically important contribute regional mass balance; however, has yet characterized terms spatiotemporal variability production. Using thin algorithm applied 16-year record daily AMSR-E AMSR-2 passive microwave observations, we examine interannual spatial temporal characteristics (December–April) over period 2002–2019. Our study reveals present some form almost every day but its area highly variable. On average, 182 km3 new produced during winter, or approximately 20% end volume Bay. Daily production found significantly correlated with area, though large, episodic events can increase annual cumulative year otherwise small polynyas. Annual also seasonally averaged wind speeds, which explain 47.3% variance drive 46 for 1.0 m s–1 Ultimately, variable persistent shown driven by winds contributes balance.