Figure 2.2 Wainwright and Alaska’s North Slope, showing the dominant offshore currents (Matthew L. Druckenmiller, NSIDC). Piruġaġnaq, the dominant current off Utqiagvik and Wainwright, flows from the northeast and is more frequent during winter. This current typically creates conditions that make it safe to be out on the ice. Qaisaġniq, the more seaward current flowing from the southwest, is more common after late May and is known to bring warm water that can accelerate the melt and break-up of shorefast ice. Qaisaġniq is also known as the current that brings the animals.