Ice conditions of navigation in the Arctic basin in summer 2018

The paper presents preliminary results of data processing of special ship observations of ice cover in the Arctic Basin between Franz Josef Land and the North Pole in summer 2018. Distribution of total ice concentration and ice age on the route of navigation of the nuclear icebreaker «50 let Pobedy» is shown. Comparatively to 2006-2011, amount of old ice in this area increased, however average ice thickness dramatically decreased. Mean thickness of level old ice in 2018 was 160 cm, which is 65 less than in 2006-2011 years of observations, and 90 cm less than in 1991-1996. Mean thickness of first-year ice in 2018 was 90 cm, which is 35 cm less than observed in 2006-2011 and 60 cm less than in 1991-1996.