Higher frequency (1000 Hz) arctic ambient noise episodes during nonsummer months were used to study generating mechanisms. In most cases in which noise amplitudes were relatively high (>103 μPa), thermal fracturing of sea ice was responsible. Numerical simulations with a daily heating cycle and no snow cover implied that maximum noise occurred at 1900 h local. Radiational heat balances were more important than sensible heat flux in producing fracturing of sea ice. With snow cover, a daily heating cycle produces maximum fracturing at 0300–0800 h local, a common feature seen in noise data. Fracturing estimated from numerical simulations using observed arctic heat flux parameters was in good agreement with the observed 1000-Hz noise signal. However, results indicate that blowing snow and ice fog may be additional factors in the heat flux balance of sea ice and the generation of arctic ambient noise. The short space scales of higher frequency noise are likely a result of spatial variations in snow cover. The short time scales of such noise are not only a result of multiple noise-generating processes but also changes in cloud and snow cover.