East Newfoundland

Persistent westerly winds and colder than normal temperatures during the second and third week of March resulted in sea ice from the East Newfoundland waters being pushed eastwards. The eastward extent of this tongue of ice resulted in the unusual presence of ice in the vicinity of the Newfoundland offshore energy production sites. At its most extreme extent, the ice pack was approximately 30 kilometres northeast of the oil platforms. A similar scenario developed last year and in 2003. In both cases it developed two to three weeks later in the ice season. While ice in the vicinity of the oil platforms has been relatively rare in the last 12 years or so, it was a more common occurrence prior to 1995.