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 oper- 

 ating obstacle. The Hydrographic. Office is charged with the respon- 

 sibility of developing and testing techniques for observing and fore- 

 casting 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 

 publication 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 

 Captain, U. S. Navy 

 Hydrographer 





