Correlations, especially those on a regional scale, between the sea ice cover formation and the air and sea surface temperatures have been pointed out by a number of authors. Region that is clearly marked by such correlation is located NW of the Antarctic Peninsula (among others Weatherly and others, King 1994, Styszyńska 1997, 2000). The intensity of ice formation in the relatively small Admiralty Bay noted in a given winter season indicates strong correlation with the winter sea ice cover extent in a regional scale (Kruszew-ski 1999, 2000). This ice cover is influenced (among others) by the sea surface temperature. The possible nature of the correlation between the sea surface temperature (SST) at the meridian of 080°W and the changes in air temperature in the region of the Southern Shetlands as described by Styszyńska suggested the presence of similar correlations with the intensity of ice formation in that region, so in this way also in the Admiralty Bay. With the help of Spearmann correlation coefficient a number of statistically significant relations have been found between the course of SST in the region of 086-062°W and the intensity of ice formation in the Admiralty Bay are presented in a categorised way. These relations are both synchronic and asynchronic. The synchronic correlation is observed mainly between SST in winter months and the ice cover category in the same year (the increase in SST is followed by the decrease in ice cover category).These correlations are most significant in the region 62-66°S (July - September). They also occur farther north 56-58°S but this time in the eastern part of the said region (March-July) and they are also observed in 60-64° (but in January and February). The asynchronic correlations have been observed between SST in October and ice cover category of the Admiralty Bay in the following year(8-11month slater). These correlations are most significantly marked in 56-64°S (the northern part of the Bellingshausen Sea and in the Circumpolar Current region) especially in 60°S 080°W (r = -0.677, p < 0.01) and their character is similar to those of the previously mentioned synchronic correlations.
In 1999 hydrometeorological observations were carried out at H. Arctowski Station. Ice phenomena in the Admiralty Bay and in the visible neighbouring area of the Bransfield Strait were, among others, the subject of these observations. The Admiralty Bay is a typical fjord and is the biggest bay in the Southern Shetlands archipelago, covering 122.08 km2. Winter ice cover formation of this area varies in different years. Once every 4-5 years the waters of the Bay do not freeze and the ice observed there originates from the Bransfield Strait. During the whole year glacial ice (brash ice, growlers, bergy bits and icebergs) originating from local sources and from other sea areas can be observed in the Admiralty Bay. In 1999 the process of the ice cover formation was characterised by variability both in time and space. During the observational period floating ice formed ice fields of different shapes and concentration. Brash ice and growlers often covered the weatter shore during high tidal waters. The icebergs in the said period are mainly observed at the entrance of the Bay (in the region of the Syrezol Rocks) less frequently inside the Bay. They usually drifted in the axial part of the Bay hardly ever reaching its central part. The autochthonous sea ice formed only near the shore and during the whole year it was the inflowing ice which was predominant. First forms of new ice in the waters of the Admiralty Bay occurred in the second decade of June. These forms were initial stage forms (frazil ice and grease ice) which never changed into more advanced form of sea ice. At the end of June the process of ice inflow from the Bransfield Strait started. The allochthonous ice reached mainly the axial and central parts of the Bay, however there were few cases noted in which the ice reached the auxiliary bays. The observations showed that the character of the main features of the winter sea ice cover of the Admiralty Bay was predominantly influenced by wind and ice conditions of the Bransfield Strait. In 1999 the Admiralty Bay was not covered by consolidated ice but by drifting ice which changed its position and edge very quickly. The course of ice phenomena in winter season 1999 had a mild character and according to Kruszewski's categories (1999) defining the ice conditions in the Admiralty Bay may be classed as number one.