ICE CONDITIONS, 1977 SEASON 



September-December 



Due to large departures from the norms, in- 

 cluding above average temperatures and prevail- 

 ing onshore winds along the Labrador coast, sea 

 ice formation and iceberg movement were greatly 

 inhibited. By the end of October, only the 

 northwestern portion of Baffin Bay and the near 

 shore along Baffin Island down to Cumberland 

 Sound were frozen. Throughout November, ad- 

 vancement continued nearshore, where new ice 

 covered the Labrador coast to about 30 miles off- 

 shore from Goose Bay north. December closed 

 with the ice just reaching the northern tip of 

 Newfoundland. The northern Strait of Belle 

 Isle was frozen over and sea ice extended 100 to 

 150 miles offshore along the Labrador coast. 

 Only three icebergs were reported during this 

 period, all by ships approaching the Strait of 

 Belle Isle, and all north of 53° N. 



January 



The sea ice continued its advance, though 

 slowly due to the continued deviation from nor- 

 mal conditions. By the end of January, new sea 

 ice had formed all the way to Cape Bonavista, 

 Newfoundland, but not extending eastward be- 

 yond 54°~\Y. A limited January preseason survey 

 found indications of a very light season (Figure 

 1). Iceberg distribution along the Labrador 

 coast was well below average, shown graphically 

 by latitude (Figure 2). A total of 34 icebergs 

 were located between 55 and 60°N. No icebergs 

 were sighted south of 55°N. No ship reports 

 were received in January. 



February 



As meteorological conditions began to normal- 

 ize in late February with an increased southerly 

 and southeasterly flow, icebergs and sea ice ap- 

 proached the Grand Banks. By mid-February 

 the sea ice had reached Pt. St. Francis and ice- 

 bergs began to exit from the ice pack. A nearly 

 complete census was obtained during the period 

 22 February through 6 March on the February 



preseason survey (Figure 3). About half the 

 normal number of icebergs were sighted with 

 only 145 medium and large icebergs south of 

 63°N. The relative scarcity of icebergs confirmed 

 that the overall season would be light (Figure 

 4). The first iceberg south of 48°N was reported 

 in position 47°23'N, 50°55''W on 28 February. 

 By the end of the month, new sea ice extended 

 almost to Cape Race, Newfoundland and as far 

 east as 49°W. The easternmost pack ice (6 to 8 

 octas of young and first year light) reached 

 47°30'N, 50°W and extended north northwest- 

 ward. Only three icebergs drifted south of 48°N 

 during February. 



March 



The southern and southeasterly flow continued 

 through March with above average temperatures 

 inhibiting sea ice growth. As storm fronts 

 passed through the Grand Banks region, the sea 

 ice was broken up and spread out. Although the 

 leading edge of the consolidated pack began its 

 retreat, the resulting brash and small floes of 

 first year light ice remained in the northern 

 Grand Banks area. Preseason reconnaissance 

 flights on 3, 4 and 5 March encompassing the 

 limits of all known ice south of Belle Isle, located 

 8 icebergs and 6 growlers (Figure 5). Eight 

 regular reconnaissance flights were made subse- 

 quent to commencement of the 1977 season on 

 March 13. Ice observation flights on 18 and 20 

 March (Figure 6) surveyed the limits of all 

 known ice from 44°N to 48°N. Only 4 icebergs, 

 2 growlers and 1 radar contact were observed. 

 The easternmost and 1977 season's southernmost 

 extent of sea ice, 47°30'N, 47°30'W and 46°20'N, 

 51°25'W respectively, occurred about 29 March 

 (Figure 7). During this month, 7 icebergs 

 drifted south of 48°N. 



April 



By mid-April, conditions began to revert to the 

 abnormals observed in December and January. 

 Predominant onshore winds along the Labrador 



