PREFACE 



This bulletin is No. 52 in the series of annual reports on the Interna- 

 tional Ice Observations and Ice Patrol Services. The authority for the 

 mission, forces assigned, and the method of operation of tlie Interna- 

 tional Ice Patrol are described. 



Aerial ice observation and communication statistics are provided. 



All ships reporting ice and weather to the International Ice Patrol 

 in 1966 are tabulated. A month-by-nionth general description of ice 

 conditions for the Grand Banks area is given. Not one berg drifted 

 south of latitude 48° N. during the season. The duration and maxi- 

 mum extension of pack ice to the south and east of Newfoundland was 

 subnormal. 



Weather and climatology of Baffin Bay, Davis Strait, the Labrador 

 Sea, and the exceptional conditions in the North Atlantic Ocean that 

 influenced the ice conditions are presented. 



Capt. Richard L. Fuller, U.S.C.G., was Commander, International 

 Ice Patrol, as well as Commanding Officer, U.S.C.G. Air Station, Ar- 

 gentia, Newfoundland. 



The author of this bulletin, Comdr. J. E. Murray, U.S.C.G., ac- 

 knowledges meteorological data supplied by the Canadian Department 

 of Transport, Ice Central, Halifax, Nova Scotia, the U.S. Navy Fleet 

 Weather Facility, Argentia, Newfoundland, and the U.S. Naval Ocean- 

 ographic Office. 



Assisting in the preparation of the illustrations and manuscript 

 were Chief Aerographer s Mate William F. Van Gaasbeck and Yeo- 

 man First Class Heber M. Kern. 



VII 



