The second session of the Pan-Arctic Climate Outlook Forum (PARCOF) was held virtually on 30 October 2018 to review the climate conditions during the previous summer season, and to provide an outlook for the forthcoming winter season. The outlook indicates that the average surface air temperatures are expected to be above normal for the entire Arctic for November, December and January. The fall freeze-up of sea ice is expected to be earlier than normal in Hudson Bay, Baffin Bay and the Beaufort Sea, and later than normal across most of the eastern Arctic. The March 2019 sea ice extent is expected to be below or near normal.

Read the full WMO press release.