As of today, out of season, returns ~November. Earth Exhibit tracks the live conditions and flags it the moment it is on.
The Storfjorden polynya is a recurrent winter coastal polynya in the Storfjorden basin of eastern Svalbard, formed when land-fast and pack ice are advected away by northeasterly winds and tidal/ocean currents.
It is an important site of frazil and thin-ice formation, brine rejection, and dense water production that influences regional oceanography and ecosystems.
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 |
|---|
| Longyearbyen - expedition departure hub |
| Edgeøya coast (northeast Storfjorden vantage) |
| + 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.