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Abstract

In recent decades, prominent Arctic Ocean changes have included precipitous sea-ice decline, distinct ocean warming, and circulation transitions that encompass changing influences from the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. These changes have been documented by observing systems and programs that collectively resolve both the short spatial and temporal scales as well as the basin and decadal scales necessary for building understanding of the Arctic Ocean. Observing approaches range from ice-based sensors mounted in drifting sea-ice, to ship-based measurements, moorings, autonomous underwater vehicles and floats, and remote sensing. Interpretation of the extensive data has advanced our understanding of climate feedbacks (e.g., processes that accelerate ice melt) and dynamical balances in the ocean-ice-atmosphere system (e.g., processes that relate to circulation transitions). Vital gaps in our understanding remain, however, because of obstacles to acquiring year-round measurements in all parts of the Arctic Ocean. This presentation will provide an overview of the state of Arctic Ocean observing strategies, including recent advances and findings, and outline observational challenges and needs to better understand and predict the evolving Arctic Ocean.