Next Meeting
Date and Location

Wednesday, June 3, 2026 – 10:00 AM
Manotick United Church
5567 Manotick Main Street, Manotick

Topic

Ice Conditions Along the Northwest Passage:
From Franklin to the Present Day and Beyond

Franklin’s vessel became trapped in the sea ice of the Northwest Passage (NWP) during the summer of 1846. Yet today, in the 21st century, vessels transit the NWP passage on a regular basis. These regular sailings through the NWP are possible not only because of changing ice conditions, but also due to other factors such as improvements in ice and weather forecasting, satellite communications and navigation technology.

The talk will demonstrate the role our modern understanding of sea ice patterns shaped the Franklin Search. It will also examine how navigation along the NWP has changed from the 19^th century to the present and look at the implications of changing ice conditions for users travelling both on and through the ice.

Speaker

Tom Zagon
Manager
Applied Science – Ice
Environment and Climate Change Canada