climate of the east coast of Newfoundland is given by table VI. Note 

 that the average temperatures for the winter and spring of 1964 at 

 Torbay and Argentia were below normal. The indirect effect of the 

 abnormally cold winter climatology in the Baffin Bay-Davis Strait 

 and Labrador regions made itself felt on the Grand Banks beginning 

 in April as the abnormally cold waters of the Labrador Current and 

 its freight of heavy pack ice invaded the area. 



There was above normal cyclonic activity in the Grand Banks, 

 Newfoundland, and Labrador coastal regions in March. During the 

 first 2 weeks cyclones moved rapidly over Newfoundland and Labrador 

 and intensified before slowing down or becoming stationary and filling 

 south of Greenland. This resulted in strong cold northwesterly winds 

 along the Labrador and Newfoundland east coasts. During the latter 

 half of March the storm track shifted to the south and a series of 

 intense lows passed southeast of Newfoundland producing strong 

 north by east flow over the northern Grand Banks and northward. 

 See figure 37 mean sea level pressure chart for period 6-28 March 1964. 

 As a result, the numerous bergs between the northern Grand Banks 

 and Belle Isle at the start of March were driven rapidly toward the 

 Grand Banks during the first 2 weeks and then driven to the south- 

 east toward or along the Newfoundland east coast during the last half 

 of March. 



From late March to mid-April a series of moderate lows moved 

 across northwestern Newfoundland and eastern Labrador due to a 

 shift of the Azores High to the northwest of its normal position for 

 April. A relatively tight gradient resulted producing a strong warm 

 southwesterly flow over the Grand Banks and east coast of Newfound- 

 land. Surface winds along the Labrador east coast averaged north- 

 westerly during this period. See figure 38, mean sea level pressure 

 chart for 29 March-16 April 1964. The distribution of bergs by 

 mid-April was considerably influenced by the average southwest winds 

 during this period as numerous bergs were driven from along the east 

 Newfoundland coast to the eastward with many reentering the Labra- 

 dor Current between 48°-49° N., thereby moving rapidly eastward 

 under the combined forces of wind and current. The indirect effect 

 of the abnormally cold winter climate in the Baffin Bay, Davis Strait, 

 and Labrador region made itself felt on the Grand Banks about this 

 time as abnormally cold water of the Labrador Current invaded the 

 Grand Banks. 



At mid-April the weather pattern abruptly changed as a series 

 of lows moved south of Newfoundland toward the central North 

 Atlantic. Winds consequently averaged strong northerly over the 

 northern Grand Banks during the period 17 April-4 May. Winds 

 averaged onshore along northeast Newfoundland and Labrador. 

 See Figure 39. Ice conditions were markedly affected by this pat- 



62 



