Weather Words: Icebound

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Being icebound is exactly as dramatic as it sounds. When a ship is icebound, it’s either trapped in frozen waters, unable to break free, or completely encased in ice, making it impossible to move. This is most common in polar regions, where shifting sea ice closes in around a vessel, or in the world’s coldest ports where thick layers of ice lock ships in place for the season. Historically, being icebound was a nightmare scenario for sailors, forcing them to endure brutal Arctic or Antarctic winters with dwindling supplies and no way to escape until the thaw.

Even modern ice-strengthened ships aren’t immune to the grip of sea ice. When winds and currents shift, large ice floes can suddenly block navigation routes, leaving ships stranded until an icebreaker arrives to clear the way.

Ice bound can also be used to describe a ship that has become encrusted in ice. When freezing sea spray and subzero temperatures work together to coat every surface of the ship in a thick, icy shell. As ocean waves crash against the hull, the spray instantly freezes on contact, layering the ship in ice bit by bit. Strong winds can accelerate the process, turning ropes, railings, and even decks into slick, frozen sculptures. In extreme conditions, the accumulating ice can become so heavy that it threatens the ship’s stability, making de-icing just one more challenge while battling on the high seas.

J​ennifer Gray is a weather and climate writer for weather.com. She has been covering some of the world's biggest weather and climate stories for the last two decades.