74 
The second frost period began in the second decade of January and lasted until the end of the 
month in enclosed areas. During this period, the ice development reached its maximum in terms of 
growth and extent. 
Following a brief interruption of a few ice-free days, new ice began to form again during the first days 
of February throughout the Szczecin Lagoon. Ice formation was promoted by strong snowfall. The 
third frost period was exactly as short as the second one, and on 13 February Kamminke was the last 
observation station reporting its area of the Szczecin Lagoon ice-free. 
— Ice thickness, Kamminke Ice thickness, Karnin 
— Ice thickness, Ueckermunde Sum of coldness (Ueckermunde) 
Figure 7.4. Accumulated sum of coldness and measured ice thickness in the Szczecin Lagoon 
in the winter of 2000/01 
The number of days with ice in the western coastal waters of the Szczecin Lagoon is between 21 and 
25 days, in the eastern and central parts one to two weeks less. The thickness of level ice reached its 
maximum value of 7 cm during the second frost period in late January (Figure 7.4). 
The Pomeranian Bay remained completely free of ice in the winter of 2000/01. 
During the first two ice periods, navigation in the Szczecin Lagoon was hardly obstructed. Major difficul 
ties were encountered by smaller vessels during the third frost period, in the time between 4 and 10 Feb 
ruary. Negative air temperatures (from 1 February) and strong snowfall led to new ice formation in large 
areas, mainly in the form of ice or snow slush. Temporary freshening of northeasterly winds caused the 
ice to form compact belts up to 30 cm thick in some places. On the satellite image showing the ice situa 
tion on 8 February (Figure 7.5), remnants of an ice belt along the south coast are still visible which, de 
spite rising air temperatures (from 6 February) and winds veering south continued to obstruct small craft 
navigation until 10 February. 
On 11 and 12 February, freshening southerly winds caused the ice remnants from the south coast to 
accumulate along the north coast (Figure 7.6). Rising temperatures and variable wind directions on the 
following days caused the ice in the Szczecin Lagoon to melt within a few days.