February 



During the latter half of February icebergs were reported 

 from 48-3AN to 51-30N from the coast out to A7-15W. The 

 southernmost iceberg was reported at A8-34N A7-15W on 25 February 

 in open water. A growler was reported at 46-41N 47-16W on 

 24 February by the Coast Guard Cutter CHASE. 



The February preseason flight was flown on 27 - 28 February 

 and 4 March from 50-OON to Cape Chidley, Labrador. Flight 

 results are contained in Figure 4 and they are compared with the 

 1963 - 1970 average in Figure 5. The iceberg count south of 

 Hamilton Inlet was 181, which is considerably above the average 

 of 63 icebergs. From Hamilton Inlet to Cape Chidley 335 icebergs 

 were sighted; a number quite close to the average of 300 icebergs. 

 At the end of the month the sea ice reached its maximum southern 

 extent for the year as the southern ice edge lay from 47-lON 

 52-OOW to 49-OON 49-OOW. 



March 



The results of ice reconnaissance flights flown on 6, 7, 

 and 9 March are depicted in Figure 6. During this period there 

 was generally good visibility above 47-OON, while the visibility 

 was quite poor to the south. The icebergs appeared to be in 

 excellent position to move around the Grand Banks in the 

 Labrador Current. However, subsequent March flights, which were 

 conducted under poor conditions of visibility, sighted no icebergs 

 south of 46-OON. Figure 7 displays ice reports received during 

 the period 22 - 26 March. The southernmost iceberg of the month 

 was sighted on 30 March at 46-15N 48-05W. Icebergs were also 

 located well to the east of the core of the Labrador Current during 

 the latter part of the month. Visual sightings and radar placed 

 approximately six icebergs in the vicinity of Flemish Cap between 

 20 and 30 March. The easternmost berg was reported at 47-40N 

 43-47W on 27 March. During this period the sea surface temperature 

 in the vicinity of Flemish Cap was 42°F (5.°C). It is estimated 

 that 31 icebergs drifted south of 48-OON during the month. By the 

 end of the month the sea ice had retreated to north of 50-OON. 



10 



