Oceanographic conditions in NAFO waters are to a large degree determined by the strength of the winter atmospheric circulation over the Northwest Atlantic, measured by the NAO Index.
The North Atlantic Oscillation index (Rogers Dec.-Feb.) for 2011 continued in the negative phase and as a consequence, outflow of arctic air masses to the Northwest Atlantic was weaker than normal.
Annual sea surface temperatures in 2011 were above normal over much of the north Atlantic with values from 0.5-1°C above normal over much of the NAFO Area.
Winter sea level atmospheric pressure was below normal across much of the North Atlantic at mid-latitudes while northern areas experienced above normal SLP. This resulted in a negative Rogers NAO index during 2011.
Winter air temperatures were above normal over much of the NAFO area (except 5 and 6) with positive anomalies as high as 10°C over parts of the Labrador Sea.
Annual air temperatures were above normal over much of the NAFO area (except SA 1) with positive anomalies greater than 1°C over Davis Strait.
Annual mean air temperature anomalies in NAFO Sub-Area 0 (Iqaluit) decreased from the record high in 2010 to 1°C above normal in 2011.
Annual mean air temperature anomalies in NAFO Sub-Area 1 (Nuuk) decreased significantly over the record high in 2010 to slightly below the long-term mean in 2011.
Annual mean air temperature anomalies in on the Labrador Coast (Cartwright) decreased from the record high in 2010 to slightly less than 1°C above the long-term mean in 2011.
Annual mean air temperature anomalies in NAFO Sub-Area 3 at St. John’s were about 0.5°C above the long-term mean in 2011.
Annual mean air temperatures in NAFO Sub-Area 4 (Sable Island) were 0.8°C above normal in 2011.
Annual mean air temperatures in NAFO Sub-Area 5 on the northeast USA coast (Boston) were about 1°C above normal in 2011.
Sea ice extent during 2011 on the Newfoundland and Labrador Shelf remained lighter than normal for the 17th consecutive year. The annual average extent was the lowest on record (data courtesy of I. Peterson, BIO).
In 2009 there were 1204 icebergs detected south of 48°N on the Northern Grand Bank with the highest number of 450 reported in May. The highest number of icebergs normally occurs in May with just over 200. In 2011 only 3 icebergs were detected (in May) south of 48°N (data courtesy of the International Ice Patrol, US Coast Guard)
