Clustered Drift
Variable winds compress ice into groups
Higher probability of multiple sightings
Dispersed Drift
Offshore winds spread ice away from land
Lower visibility despite active flow
Key Variables
Variable
Effect
Current Strength
Determines transport speed
Wind Direction
Controls coastal approach
Water Temperature
Controls survival
Ice Size
Larger ice persists longer
Signal Indicators
Strong + clustered → high-probability viewing conditions
Strong + dispersed → offshore movement
Moderate + onshore wind → grounding phase begins
Operational Insight
Iceberg Alley is best understood as a moving system, not a static map.