Table of Ice Reports, 19^2 — Continued 



ICE CONDITIONS IN 1943 



The ice season for the year 1943 was considered as starting on 

 1 December, 1942. Where far northern waters are concerned a 

 definite break is lacking between consecutive ice seasons, as new 

 ice begins forming in the remnants of the old ice before the latter 

 has entirely disappeared. By the first of December, however, in 

 almost every locality the actual amount of ice present has reached 

 or passed its minimum and increase in the amount of ice comes 

 from the new season's crop. This discussion covers the period 

 from 1 December 1942, to August 1943, and fails to include the 

 terminating months of the season in northern waters. The Table 

 of Ice Reports, Newfoundland Area and Table of Ice Reports, 

 Greenland Area which follow summarize the reports of ice sight- 

 ings for the 9-month period ending 31 August. Figures 5 to 11 

 respectively depict the ice conditions by months for the months 

 February to August inclusive. It has been impractical to show 

 the entire area covered, and, because of congestion, many of the 

 ice sightings could not be included on the close scaled chart. It is 

 believed that the figures aid in giving a periodic survey of the gen- 

 eral ice situation that could not readily be obtained otherwise. 



The season of 1943 ended the sequence of abnormally light ice 

 crops that had begun in the year 1940. Considering the entire area 

 the amounts of ice, both bergs and field ice, were somewhat heavier 

 than that to be expected on an average ice year. Statements of ice 

 conditions in one part of the area, however, may not be applicable 

 to those in another. The area has been subdivided for purposes of 

 discussion as follows : 



1. St. Lawrence Area — Includes St. Lawrence River, gulf proper east to Strait 

 of Belle Isle, and south through Cabot Strait and Gut of Canso; also banks 

 south of Nova Scotia, and south and east of Cape Breton Island. 



2. Newfoundland Area — Takes in coastal and offshore waters from the Miquelon 

 Islands over the Grand Banks and Flemish Cap and north to the Strait of 

 Belle Isle. 



3. Labrador Area — Coastal and offshore waters from the Strait of Belle Isle 

 north to Hudson Strait. 



14 



