FOREWORD 



The increasing importance of defense installations in 

 northern areas has increased greatly the responsibilities of 

 the U. S. Navy in supplying bases in Arctic waters, where sea 

 ice is often an operating obstacle. The Hydrographic Office 

 is charged with the responsibility of developing and testing 

 techniques for observing and forecasting sea ice conditions. 

 Standardized techniques for observing, charting, and reporting 

 sea ice are now in operational use by the Navy, as described in 

 publications issued by the Hydrographic Office. Heretofore, 

 techniques for forecasting the formation, growth, and movement 

 of sea ice have not been published by this Office. This publi- 

 cation describes a method of long-range forecasting of ice for- 

 mation and growth. Since this technique is still in the develop- 

 mental stage, the Hydrographic Office welcomes comments as to its 

 operational value. 





//. B. COCHRAN 

 £yCaptain, U c S. Navy 

 Hydrographer 



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