As of today, past peak, season runs to ~June 30. Earth Exhibit tracks the live conditions and flags it the moment it is on.
Each spring, warming air and snowmelt cause river ice on the Mackenzie River to weaken, fracture, and mobilize.
Large ice floes move through the delta and into the Beaufort Sea, producing audible ice cracking, rapid changes in river flow, and spectacular scenes of moving ice across wide channels.
Timing varies year to year with temperature and snowpack.
Where to see it
A taste of where to see it. The full map, exact coordinates and the best timing for each spot live in the app.
| Viewing spots |
|---|
| Inuvik Riverbank (East Channel frontage) |
| Tuktoyaktuk Harbour and Beaufort Sea Shoreline |
| + 1 more spot, with exact coordinates and timing, in the app → |
This is the short version
This page shows a taste. The app has the full list of where to see this, the exact timing, and live conditions for 1,000+ natural phenomena worldwide, so you know the moment one is genuinely worth the trip.