![](\"https:\/\/cimss.ssec.wisc.edu\/satellite-blog\/images\/2026\/01\/260106_260108_suomiNPP_noaa21_viirs_infrared_Chukchi_Sea_ice_leads_anim.gif\")
<\/a>Suomi-NPP and NOAA-21 VIIRS Infrared images, from 0028 UTC on 06 January to 2332 UTC on 08 January [click to play animated GIF | MP4<\/strong><\/a>]<\/p><\/div>VIIRS Infrared images from Suomi-NPP and NOAA-21 (above)<\/strong><\/em> showed widespread ice leads in the Chukchi Sea<\/strong><\/a> during the 3-day period from 06-08 January 2026. A combination of surface wind stress and ocean currents influenced the motion and evolution of these ice leads.<\/p>\n Surface analyses (below)<\/strong><\/em> showed a tighter pressure gradient across the Chukchi Sea early in the 3-day period, as high pressure was approaching from the Siberian Sea — which would have induced a stronger northerly flow across the VIIRS image domain displayed above. As the core of this high pressure settled over eastern Siberia on 08 January, the pressure gradient relaxed across much of the Chukchi Sea, with a lighter westerly flow likely becoming more prominent toward the end of the 3-day period.<\/p>\n 6-hourlty surface analyses, from 0000 UTC on 06 January to 0000 UTC on 09 January [click to play animated GIF]<\/p><\/div>Daily results using an AI-based sea ice lead<\/strong><\/a> detection method covering the entire Arctic Ocean are shown below; the Chukchi Sea is located near the bottom center of the images.<\/p>\n<\/a>