Surface currents and temperature data from satellite-tracked drifters in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas from 2011-08-07 to 2014-03-06 (NCEI Accession 0126984)

Drifters were deployed from vessels in the Chukchi Sea during the ice-free seasons of 2011-2013. Drifter positions were determined via GPS, and positions were relayed via Iridium communications to on-shore data centers. Drifters were tracked from their release until they a) were picked up at sea for redeployment; b) beached on-shore; or c) died at sea because of battery failure or other causes. Many drifters remained active as sea ice re-formed in the region, and 3 drifters were frozen in the ice and released the following spring. Drifters also recorded Sea Surface Temperature (SST) from 2012 onward. Drifters were of various types (Davis, SVP, and Microstar) and were drogued at various depths (1 m and 10 m).