south and southeast of Newfoundland; thus, the prevaihng winds 

 were from the easterly quadrant for almost the entire period 

 Although this pattern was altered somewhat during the latter part 

 of the month, with the passing of several storms north of the 

 Strait of Belle Isle, the more intense cyclones were still "north 

 easters" in the ice-patrol area. Since, during an average year 

 an equal number of storms pass north and south of Newfoundland' 

 the track of most of these "lows" to the south during April was 

 a marked departure from normal. 



The influx of warm, moist air over the area during the first 

 8 weeks in May gave indications of a changing trend from winter 

 to summertime conditions. Storms were less numerous and not 

 as violent as in the preceeding months. Pressure gradients 

 showed a marked tendency to weaken and become ill-defined, and 

 by the end of the ice-patrol season, southwest winds, with at- 

 tendant fog, had established themselves in the Grand Banks 



Climatological records at both the U. S. Naval Station at Ar- 

 gentia, Newfoundland, and the U. S. Air Force Base at Goose Bay, 

 Labrador, as well as observations from other sources indicate that 

 the winter of 1950-51 was one of the mildest on record both from 

 a standpoint of lack of snow as well as temperatures. What effect 

 If any, this had on the lack of bergs is the subject of speculation 

 at this time and will require further study before an evaluation 

 can be made. 



204964—53—3 



