Two unusually persistent cold episodes around Greenland and Baffin Island in 1971--1972 and 1982--1984 are described in terms of their severity, atmospheric circulation variability, and changes in sea surface conditions. The episodes are significant due to the sizeable station temperature departures, many exceeding one standard deviation, and their persistence. In both episodes unusually persistent cold pools of water developed in the northern Atlantic and intensified near Davis Strait close to the onset of the cold climatic events and then migrated out of the region as the episodes came to a close. Anomalous northerly surface air flow occurs in most months during the two episodes. ¿ 1998 American Geophysical Union