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Pacific Part 5 - Canadian Coast Guard
Home > MCTS > RAMN 2012 > Pacific and Western Arctic > Table of Contents > Part 5 PART 5 - ENVIRONMENT CANADA'S MARINE AND ICE WARNING AND FORECAST PROGRAMS
Environment Canada's Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC) is the agency responsible for delivering Canada's weather service. The MSC offers a broad range of products and services that are designed to help mariners make informed decisions on how weather will affect them. The Canadian Coast Guard plays an important role in disseminating forecasts and warnings and in collecting and relaying weather information from volunteer observers and ships.
The constant stream of data coming from both automated and manned coastal observation stations, as well as ships and weather buoys, is supplemented by satellite imagery, weather radar and a full set of numerical weather products adapted for marine operations.
Marine Warning Program
Warnings of extreme weather events that pose a threat to life and property at sea such as strong winds, freezing spray, high coastal waters, squall lines and other localized phenomena shall be issued for the offshore economic zone including the St. Lawrence Seaway and major inland waters.
Major inland waters are defined as having significant marine activity and where time to reach safe harbour is comparable to the marine weather warning lead time. The criteria for issuing weather warnings is based on national guidelines, but determined regionally to account for regional climatology and the nature of the regional marine community. The following table describes the warning program:
Table 1: Synoptic warnings Synoptic warnings * Warning criteria Strong wind warning (1)
Winds (2) 20 to 33 knots inclusive occurring or expected to occur in any portion of a marine area including any portion defined by a local effect or an "except" statement.
Winds (2) 34 to 47 knots inclusive occurring or expected to occur in any portion of a marine area including any portion defined by a local effect or an "except" statement.
Winds (2) 48 to 63 knots inclusive occurring or expected to occur in any portion of a marine area including any portion defined by a local effect or an "except" statement.
Winds (2) 64 knots or above occurring or expected to occur in any portion of a marine area including any portion defined by a local effect or an "except" statement.
Ice accretion rate of 0.7 cm/hr or more occurring or expected to occur in any portion of a marine area including any portion defined by a local effect or an "except" statement.
* These warnings are included in the body of the text forecast.
→ (1) The strong wind warning program is active on a regional basis as required for coastal and inland waters during the recreational boating season. A warning is not required when the wind is described using the range 15-20 knots. This range is normally used for greater accuracy.
→ (2) Gusts are excluded from the definition.
Range: →With the exception of Note (1) above, when a range is used to describe the wind speed, the upper value of the range determines the warning category.
Table 2: Localized warnings Localized warnings/watches * Warning criteria Squall watch
Advance notice of conditions that are favourable to the development of squalls.
Wind gust ≥ 34 knots associated with a line or an organized area of thunderstorms.
Advance notice of conditions that are favourable to the development of tornados.
Evidence of tornado formation (radar, report from a reliable source, etc.) over a marine area, or an existing tornado moving from land to an adjacent marine area.
Advance notice of conditions that are favourable to the development of cold-air waterspouts.
Waterspout warning
Evidence of waterspout formation (radar, report from a reliable source, etc.) over a marine area.
Issued to warn mariners and coastal populations of potentially hazardous impacts due to abnormally high water levels or waves along coastline areas.
Special marine warning/watch
Used to describe conditions other than those defined above that may have potentially hazardous impacts on navigation.
Notes: * These warnings/watches are delivered using separate messages.
Ice warnings: refer to the Canadian Ice Service, Part 5, page 5-21.
Marine and Ice Forecast Program
Marine forecasts are issued for the offshore economic zone including the St. Lawrence Seaway and major inland waters.
For sea ice, ice forecasts are issued for offshore marine areas as well as the Great Lakes. The production schedule is detailed in each regional section of this part. The forecast program includes the following bulletins:
Table 3: Marine forecast program Forecast or bulletin name Details Technical marine synopsis
Provides the positions and trends of the main weather systems for the forecast period covering Days 1 and 2.
Marine forecast (or Regular marine forecast)
Provides information on: synoptic warnings, wind, visibility, precipitation, and freezing spray. It may include air temperature, as appropriate. Valid for Days 1 and 2.
Recreational boating marine forecast
Tailored to the needs of recreational boaters, it is available on a seasonal basis and only in specific regions.
Issued when deemed necessary, it provides additional information on potentially high impact marine conditions.
Provides information on significant wave heights valid for Days 1 and 2. It is not available for the Arctic waters or central and western Hudson Bay.
Meant for longer-range planning purposes, it provides an extended marine wind outlook for Days 3, 4, and 5.
Provides information on distribution of icebergs valid for the time of issue of the bulletin.
Provides information on hazardous ice conditions valid for Days 1 and 2.
International Maritime Organization (IMO)-compliant NAVigational TelEX bulletin issued with each regular marine forecast or ice forecasts in a standardized abbreviated format - see Table 5, page 5-7 for Abbreviations.
This is a specialized coded marine forecast produced for Québec and Ontario regions.
(1) More details on NAVTEX and MAFOR are provided on page 5-6.
Monitoring the Forecast
Forecasts are monitored, and amended as necessary, to reflect unexpected or changing weather conditions according to criteria based on the following principles:
when safety or security is at risk;
when inconvenience to the marine community will be extensive; or
when the product could adversely affect the credibility of the marine forecast program.
Marine and Ice Forecast Areas
Marine forecasts and ice forecasts are issued for marine and ice areas as outlined in the regional maps. The sizes and boundaries of these areas are determined regionally based on the following considerations:
marine traffic density;
the ability to forecast to the proposed resolution;
the degree to which, climatologically, marine weather varies; and
the ability to distribute the information effectively to the marine community.
Current weather data is available to Canadians for their local area. The frequency and quality of the data will be consistent with the standards established by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The data may include, as appropriate:
sky conditions,
precipitation type,
restrictions to visibility,
General information on current sea-ice will be provided to the marine community once a week to provide an adequate planning tool for those considering entering ice-encumbered waters.
Meteorological support is provided during emergencies and includes the provision of meteorological information and forecasts. In the case of a pollution event, Environment Canada adheres to the “polluter pay" policy for the provision of all services. Where agreements are in place, Environment Canada will make its distribution systems available to transmit vital information during emergency situations.
Delivery of Marine Warning and Forecast Services
Delivery of marine warning and forecast services to Canadians is primarily by mass communication in order to reach the greatest population base through technology available to most Canadians. The following principles apply, regardless of the specific available technologies:
Internet access via the World-Wide Web. All forecast and warning information will be found at the following address: http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/canada_e.html;
Basic services to Canadians shall be delivered primarily by mass distribution in partnership with media, relying on current and developing technologies in radio, television, newspaper and the Internet. These distribution mechanisms represent the primary methods by which most Canadians receive their weather information, now and in the future;
Marine and Environmental Advisories, Watches and Warnings are distributed through various mechanisms including partnerships with national and regional media distributors and local emergency measures organizations.
Voluntary Observing Ship (VOS) Program
The VOS program is organized for the purpose of obtaining weather and ice and oceanographic observations from moving ships. An international program under the auspices of the WMO, the VOS has nearly 8,000 vessels participating from 60 nations. It is part of the WMO Global Observing System of the World Weather Watch. Canada has approximately 235 vessels participating in the VOS. It closely follows WMO guidelines for VOS programs.
The Canadian program is supported by full-time Port Meteorological Officers (PMO). The national program office in Toronto manages the program and oversees PMO activities. The office also maintains a VOS Program Computerized Data Management System to record PMO ship visits, vessel mailing addresses, vessel equipment inventories and other information about vessel reports. Any vessel willing to take and transmit observations in marine areas where Environment Canada prepares weather forecasts (see the regional annexes) can join the program. The importance of ship reports cannot be overstated. Without your participation in VOS, there would be vast marine areas without data, making marine forecasting nearly impossible for these areas. We thank ships' officers and crew for their fine work, dedication and commitment.
Mariners are also encouraged to inquire about the SEAS (Shipboard Environmental data Acquisition System) program with their regional PMO. Under the SEAS program, observations are sent via INMARSAT C and the cost of transmission is absorbed by a consortium of countries interested in timely marine observations on a global scale.
The WMO establishes the ships synoptic code, and procedures and standards for the collection and dissemination of information worldwide. The WMO also maintains information about countries and vessels participating in the program.
Buoys Program
In order to complement the observational network, Environment Canada operates a network of buoys across the country. This data becomes part of the collection of weather reports sent to the distribution network and is used to improve marine forecasting. The location, WMO identifiers and names of the Environment Canada buoys are given in the regional annexes.
Mariners are requested to use caution when approaching buoys as mooring chains are normally not detectable from a ship and can be damaged or even severed if there is contact. Such a mishap could possibly result in the buoy going adrift thus requiring a costly effort to recover the platform. Please keep the regional PMO informed of any incidents involving buoys.
Buoy Locations: buoy positions are described in each specific regional annex.
Port Meteorological Officers (PMOs)
In addition to a variety of other duties, PMOs also act as a liaison between Environment Canada and ships involved in the VOS program. This is to encourage vessels to report weather and ice conditions, to instruct observers about procedures and the use of code; to supply observing forms, handbooks (free of charge!); to calibrate equipment; and, in some cases, to install, on loan, meteorological or oceanographic instrumentation. The PMO is also responsible for recruiting new vessels to participate in the VOS program.
If a PMO visits your ship, feel free to ask questions about observing and coding, and reporting weather and ice conditions. Inform the PMO of any concerns you may have with forecasts, warnings, or facsimile products, especially if you have specific problems. The PMO will contact the appropriate party for investigation. Keep the PMO informed of your contact information.
Table 4: Port Meteorological Officers (PMOs) Great Lakes
Tony Hilton, SuperintendentEnvironment Canada, MSC100 East Port BoulevardHamilton, ON L8H 7S4Telephone: 905-312-0900Facsimile: 905-312-0730
Email: anthony.hilton@ec.gc.ca Randy Sheppard, SupervisorDerek Cain, PMOEnvironment Canada, MSC45 Alderney Drive, 16th floorDartmouth, NS B2Y 2N6Telephone: 902-426-6616Cellular: 902-456-6927Facsimile: 902-426-6404Email: randy.sheppard@ec.gc.ca
Andre Dwyer, PMOEnvironment Canada, MSC6 Bruce Street.Mount Pearl, NL A1N 4T3Telephone: 709-772-4798Cellular: 709-689-5787Facsimile: 709-772-5097Email: andre.dwyer@ec.gc.ca
St-Lawrence - Québec
Great Slave Lake / Lake Athabaska / Western Arctic
Erich Gola, PMOEnvironnement Canada, SMC CanadaPlace Bonaventure, Portail Nord-Est800 de la Gauchetière ouest
Suite 7810Montréal, QC H5A 1L9Telephone: 514-283-1644Facsimile: 514-496-1867Email: erich.gola@ec.gc.ca
Bruce Lohnes, SupervisorVaughn Williams, PMOEnvironment Canada, MSC140 13160 Vanier PlaceRichmond, BC V6V 2J2Telephone: 604-664-9188Facsimile: 604-664-4094Email: bruce.lohnes@ec.gc.ca
Email: vaughn.williams@ec.gc.ca
Ben Lemon, PMOEnvironment Canada, MSCM.J. Greenwood Centre9345 - 49 StreetEdmonton, AB T6B 2L8Telephone: 780-495-6442Email: ben.lemon@ec.gc.ca
Barry Funk, PMOMonitoring and SystemsEnvironment Canada, MSCSuite 150123 Main StreetWinnipeg, MB R3C 4W2Telephone: 204-984-2018Email: barry.funk@ec.gc.ca
MSC will provide Canadian Coast Guard with marine forecast information in NAVTEX format for coastal and offshore areas of responsibility based on IMO standards. Marine forecast information provided will include:
Warnings (Winds & ice accretion);
Synopsis (major features);
Forecasts (wind, visibility, ice accretion, wave height).
Each bulletin will contain a WMO telecommunication header, a valid period, notes on parameters used within the bulletin, a synopsis section, a weather forecast section and a wave forecast section. Below is a sample of a partial NAVTEX produced for Canadian Coast Guard MCTS Sydney. Note that NAVTEX will make use of abbreviations: this is necessary in order to comply with the physical limitations of the NAVTEX system. In the example, text in superscript indicates how abbreviations are used.
NAVTEX service sample (518 kHz) Header
FQCN34 CWHX 171400
Title(part one) ►
NAVTEX/1 FOR SYDNEY VCO AT 10:00 AM AST FRI Friday 17 NOV November 2006.
VLD valid period 17/14Z-19/03Z,WND(KT) wind in knots, VIS(NM) visibility in nautical miles ABV above 1 NM UNL IND unless indicated, FOG IMPLIES VIS 1 NM OR LESS.
Synopsis ►
SYNOPSIS:17/14Z STRM storm 980 MB OVR SRN NFLD over southern Newfoundland18/14Z STRM storm 985 MB OVR NRN NFLD over northern Newfoundland17/14Z RIDG OVR WRN QUE. ridge over western Québec18/14Z RIDG OVR WRN GU ST LAW. ridge over western Gulf of St Lawrence
Area name ►Warning ►Wind forecast ►Visibility forecast ►End of weather ►
EASTERN SHORE, FOURCHU:WNG warning: NIL.WND: SWsouthwest10-15. 17/18Z SEsoutheast15-20. 18/06Z V15. 18/12Z SWsouthwest15-20. 18/18Z SW20-25. 19/00Z SW15-20.VIS: 17/13Z-19/03Z PTH-FG .fog banks{... other marine areas }END/
Parameters ►Area name ►
WAVES(M) metres VLD 17/09Z-18/10Z.EASTERN SHORE, SABLE, EAST SCOTIAN SLOPE–N – northern half, FOURCHU, BANQUEREAU:
Height in meters ►
End of waves and part one ►
{.... Other marine areas}END/
NAVTEX service sample (518 kHz) Header ►
FQCN34 CYQX 171330
Title (VCO part two) ►
NAVTEX/2 FOR SYDNEY VCO.
Parameters ►Marine areas ►Warning ►Wind ►Visibility ►
VLD 17/13Z-19/03Z.GULF-PORT AU PORT, SOUTHWEST COAST:WNG: NIL.WND: S10-15G20. 17/23Z S10-15. 18/11Z S15-20. 18/18Z SW20.VIS: 17/12Z-19/02Z FG-PTH.
End of weather ►
{... other marine areas}END/
Parameters ►Marine areas ►Waves ►
WAVES(M) VLD 17/09Z-18/09Z.GULF PORT AU PORT:1-2. 18/06Z 0-1.
End of waves and part two ►
Table 5: Abbreviations used by MSC within NAVTEX Date/Time standards April
Marine Forecast Area dividing standards - eastern half
- northwestern half
- southwestern half
- northeastern half
- southeastern half
- northern half
- southern half
Forecast parameters valid
Wind elements east
with gust to
Freezing spray qualifier freezing spray
FRZ-SPR
outside the ice edge
OVR-OW
Wave elements ice covered
Weather elements blizzard
PTH-MIST
HVY-RA
HVY-SN
MIX-RASN
LGT-SN
HVY-TSTM
PTH-FG
FRZ-DZ
FRZ-RA
Weather/visibility elements (qualifier) at times
as low as 1 mile
IN-PRECIP
Trend descriptors (synopsis) building
Systems descriptors (synopsis) cold front
W-FRONT
Position descriptors (synopsis) cape
located on a line
Cardinal point descriptors (synopsis) central
Territorial references (synopsis) Alberta
GRT LKS
GU ST LAW
ICE ELEMENTS Ice concentration 1 tenth
9 plus tenths
9 to 10 tenths (lake ice)
Ice type first year ice
greywhite ice
very thick ice
Ice qualifier light
Ice general conditions
ALNG CST
Ice direction eastward
sSWDwd
Marine Weather Forecast Program
The Pacific Storm Prediction Centre (PSPC) located in Vancouver, BC issues a regular marine forecast and technical synopsis 4 times daily at the same time throughout the year. The forecasts are valid out to midnight of the following day. Additional products include a 3 to 5 day marine wind outlook and a wave height forecast issued twice daily.
Table 6: Production schedule a) Text format:
Forecast name Issue Time Time Zone Marine region Technical marine synopsis
04:00, 10:30, 16:00, 21:30
PDT / PST
b) NAVTEX format (refer to Part 2 for the MCTS broadcast schedule):
MCTS Centres Name Header Issue Time Tofino VAE
FQCN33 CWVR
04:00, 10:30, 16:00, 21:30 PDT/PST
Prince Rupert VAJ
FQCN35 CWVR
(refer to Table 1, page 5-1):
Note the following regional particularities:
Warning Types Comments 1
Issued only from Good Friday to Remembrance Day.
Applies to the inner waters only: Queen Charlotte Strait, Johnstone Strait, Strait of Georgia, Howe Sound, Haro Strait and Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Marine Weather Observations and Forecast Bulletins
Local weather observations are available for several stations including lighthouses, ocean buoys, automatic weather reporting stations and other stations of the regular weather network. The broadcast listing provides more information on available stations and broadcast times. Marine forecast bulletins are updated at regular intervals or whenever necessary. These bulletins are available on MSC's Automated Telephone Answering Device (ATAD), as well as Weatheradio and Canadian Coast Guard's continuous marine broadcast.
Weatheradio is a public service designed to make weather information available over VHF or FM radio continuously. Weatheradio is dedicated to transmitting up to the minute weather reports and forecasts directly to all users including the marine community.
Environment Canada Weatheradio operates four main stations serving Pacific region. These are:
Stations Call Sign Frequency (MHz) Note Vancouver – Victoria
XKK506
Port Hardy (FM)
CBPD-FM
CIZ319
VFM825
Further information regarding EC's Weatheradio network can be obtained via the Internet at
http://www.ec.gc.ca/meteo-weather/default.asp?lang=En&n=792F2D20-1.
→ Buoy Positions – Northeast Pacific WMO# Name LAT (deg) LONG (deg) 46004
50.930 N
136.095 W
South Nomad
48.355 N
133.938 W
49.906 N
124.985 W
49.738 N
127.931 W
54.366 N
132.417 W
49.340 N
123.727 W
51.828 N
131.225 W
53.833 N
128.831 W
North Hecate Strait
53.617 N
131.105 W
North Nomad
53.915 N
138.851 W
South Hecate Strait
52.425 N
129.792 W
West Sea Otter
51.368 N
128.750 W
West Dixon Entrance
54.165 N
134.283 W
48.835 N
125.998 W
50.874 N
129.916 W
52.515 N
132.693 W
Marine Forecast Areas - Pacific Waters
Marine Forecast Areas - Pacific Waters Offshore North coast South coast Area Area Name Area Area Name Area Area Name 001
→West Coast Haida Gwaii
Marine Weather Observations Lighthouse reports, (Type L), Automatic Reporting Stations (Type A), Ocean Buoys reports (Type B) Addenbroke Island - L
Langara Island - L
Amphitrite Point - L
EastPoint - A
Lennard Island - L
Sartine Island - A
Ballenas Island - A
Egg Island - L
Lucy Island - A
Saturna Island - A
Entrance Island - A
McInnes Island - L
Scarlett Point - L
Entrance Island - L
Merry Island - L
Sentry Shoal - B
Bonilla Island - A
Esquimalt Harbour - A
Middle Nomad - B
Sheringham Point - A
Bonilla Island - L
Estevan Point - A
Nanakwa Shoal - B
Sisters Island - A
Cape Beale - L
Estevan Point - L
Nootka - L
Smith Island (USA)* - B
Cape Flattery (USA)* - B
Fanny Island - A
North Hecate Strait - B
Solander Island - A
Cape Lazo - L
Friday Harbour (USA)* - A
North Nomad - B
South Brooks - B
Cape Mudge - L
Green Island - L
Pachena Point - L
South Hecate Strait - B
Cape Scott - L
Grey Islet - A
Pam Rocks - A
South Moresby - B
Cape St James - A
Grief Point - A
Pine Island - L
Tatoosh Island (USA)* - A
Carmanah Point - L
Halibut Bank - B
Point Atkinson - A
Trial Island - L
Cathedral Point - A
Herbert Island - A
Point Wilson (USA)* - L
Triple Island - L
Central Dixon Entrance - B
Port Angeles (USA)* - L
Chatham Point - L
Ivory Island - L
Victoria Harbour - A
Chrome Island - L
Kelp Reef - A
Pulteney Point - L
Victoria/Gonzales Pt - A
Cumshewa Island - A
Kindakun Rocks - A
West Dixon Entrance - B
Discovery Island - A
Race Rocks - A
West Moresby – B
Dryad Point - L
Langara Island - A
West Sea Otter – B
* Note that the following stations are located in Washington USA: Cape Flattery, Friday Harbour, Point Wilson, Port Angeles, Smith Island, Tatoosh Island.
Includes: Western and Eastern Arctic, Central and Western Hudson Bay & Major Inland Lakes of Manitoba, Northern Saskatchewan and Northwest Territories.
The Prairie and Arctic Storm Prediction Centre (PASPC), which is jointly located in Edmonton and Winnipeg, provides marine forecasts in support of Arctic marine activity during the open water season from summer into parts of the fall. The forecast area encompasses Lake Athabasca, Great Slave Lake, the Mackenzie River, as well as the waterways of the Western and High Arctic, and Baffin Bay. Note that wave height forecasts are not produced for the Arctic areas.
The PASPC provides marine forecasts for Central and Western Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait, Foxe Basin, Ungava Bay, and Davis Strait. Marine forecasts are also provided for Lake Winnipeg (north and south basins), Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipegosis during the open water season in support of pleasure and commercial activities. Note that marine forecasts for Eastern Hudson Bay and James Bay are provided by the MSC Québec Region.
The forecast program for the Manitoba Lakes continues through the winter months as a public rather than a marine forecast in aid of commercial ice fishing. Minimum and maximum temperatures along with wind chill are included in the forecast.
Table 7: Production schedule a) Text format:
MDT / MST
Western and High Arctic
04:45, 16:45
Suite of Marine forecasts
Western Arctic Waterway
CDT / CST
Southern Nunavut
Eastern Nunavut
MCTS Centre Name Header Issue Time Iqaluit VFF
FQCN36 CWNT
05:30, 17:30 EDT / EST
Warning Type Comments 1
Applies to Manitoba Lakes, Lake Athabasca, Great Slave Lake and Mackenzie River.
Weather and Ice Messages
Ship weather and ice reports in the international meteorological code, taken at the standard synoptic hours of 0000, 0600, 1200 and 1800 UTC are solicited from ships of all nationalities which have been recruited by their own national weather service, or other weather services. These reports should be transmitted directly to the circuit using Inmarsat. Alternatively, the observation should be passed to the nearest MCTS centre, irrespective of the ship's position. Reports made close to, or even within sight of land, are as important as reports made offshore, due to the greater variability of weather conditions in proximity to a coastline. Such reports contribute to the overall knowledge of Arctic weather from both a real-time operational perspective and from a climate perspective.
The PASPC also welcomes weather, sea, and ice observations from the lakes. Real-time observations, and those up to a few hours after the event, are most valuable. Pass observations to 1-800-66STORM (1-800-667-8676).
Buoys deployed during the open water season WMO # Location / Information LatDeg/min LongDeg/min 45140
Lake Winnipeg South Basin (moored buoy)
096º44' W
Great Slave (moored buoy - 25 nm northeast of Hay River)
61º1' N
115º19' W
Lake Winnipeg North Basin (moored buoy)
53º15' N
098º15' W
Lake Winnipeg between North and South Basins
51º24' N
096º42' W
Great Slave (moored buoy - immediately west of Inner Whaleback Rocks)
61º55' N
113º45' W
Hudson Bay SW
59º00' N
094º00' W
The Great Slave Lake buoys are deployed in early July and retrieved in late September or early October. They provide hourly wind, air temperature, surface water temperature and wave data.
The Lake Winnipeg South Basin buoys are deployed annually in May or June and retrieved in October. They provide hourly wind, air temperature, surface water temperature and wave data.
The Hudson Bay buoy is deployed annually mid to late July and retrieved late September or early October. It provides hourly wind, air temperature, surface water temperature and wave data.
Environment Canada Weatheradio operates several stations serving Northern region. These are:
Stations Call Sign Frequency (MHz) Effective Radiated Power (Watts) Location Arviat
CKO583
XJS717
VEV284
Iqaluit (FM)
XJS716
CIE211
XKI403
VBU996
Yellowknife Seismic Station
VBA814
Long Point*
VCI386
XLF471
Trizec Building
* Winnipeg, Riverton and Long Point provide continuous broadcast of marine weather forecasts and warnings for the Manitoba Lakes, and of marine weather observations when available. Further information regarding EC's Weatheradio network can be obtained via the Internet at http://www.ec.gc.ca/meteo-weather/default.asp?lang=En&n=792F2D20-1.
Eastern and Western Arctic Waters Number Area Name Forecast Availability Period Number Area Name Forecast Availability Period 100
July 01 - Sept. 30
July 01 – Oct 10
July 01 - Oct. 15
* If required, marine forecasts may also be made available outside the regular availability period upon user request.
Inland waters Number Area Name Availability Period 180
Wrigley Harbour (mile 0) to Axe Point (mile 91)
June 01 - Oct. 20
Axe Point (mile 91) to Camsell Bend (mile 290)
Camsell Bend (mile 290) to Tulita (mile 512)
Tulita (mile 512) to Fort Good Hope (mile 684)
Fort Good Hope (mile 684) to Point Separation (mile 913)
Point Separation (mile 913) to Kittigazuit Bay (mile 1081)
Danish Marine Forecasts for Baffin Bay Waters available via:Danish Meteorological Institute, Copenhagen Telephone: (45) 39 15 7500 Number Area Name Period Number Area Name Period 907
Nuuarsuit
Marine Weather Observations – Manned station reports for: Aklavik
Lake Winnipeg: Gimli
Lake Winnipeg: Grand Rapids
Lake Winnipeg: George Island
Lake Winnipeg: Norway House
Lake Winnipeg: Berens River
Lake Winnipeg: Victoria Beach
Marine Weather Observations – Automatic station reports for: Inner Whale Back Island auto-station
Egg Island auto-station (Lake Athabasca)
Marine Weather Observations – Buoy reports for: Great Slave Lake Buoy 45141
Lake Winnipeg Buoy 45140 (South Basin)
Great Slave Lake Buoy 45150
Lake Winnipeg Buoy 45144 (North Basin)
→ Marine Forecast Expansion to sections of METAREAS XVII and XVIII
→ Forecast Areas:
As part of Environment Canada's METAREAS Expansion Project, which began in 2011, the following METAREAS forecast bulletins have been modified to include new forecast zones:
FQCN01 CWNT - marine forecasts for METAREA XVII north of 75N: Number Area Name Number Area Name 201
Zone 1 centred on 75.7N135W
Zone 2 centred on 77.3N135W
North Prince Patrick.
FQCN03 CWNT - marine forecasts for METAREA XVIII north of 75N: Number Area Name Number Area Name 207
FQCN04 CWNT - marine forecasts for METAREA XVIII south of 75N: Number Area Name 206
These new marine forecast zones are generally located between the northwestern Canadian Arctic archipelago and the Canadian Exclusive Economic Zone boundary. A map illustrating the new marine areas is provided in the following figure.
Detailed information regarding the geographic boundaries associated with these new marine zones may be obtained by contacting the Meteorological Service of Canada at the following:
Telephone: +1 (709) 256-6612
Facsimile: +1 (709) 256-6627
Email: metareas17.18@ec.gc.ca
Or by consulting the Joint Commission on Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM) web site at http://weather.gmdss.org or by consulting the Canadian Coast Guard notices to mariners (NOTMAR) web site at http://notmar.gc.ca.
Additional forecast areas will be added in the future. Any such changes will be communicated via Notice to Mariners.
→Forecast Transmission:
During the navigation season meteorological warnings and forecasts for sections of METAREA XVII and XVIII south of 75 degrees latitude will be broadcast via Inmarsat-C EGC SafetyNET. Scheduled broadcast times are:
METAREA XVII (POR) at 0300 UTC and 1500 UTC daily.
METAREA XVIII (AOR-W) at 0300 UTC and 1500 UTC daily.
Messages will be transmitted to a rectangular addressed area until Inmarsat-C or Mini-C terminals operating in Arctic waters have been updated. Users should note that meteorological MSI received by their Sat-C terminals may be labeled as navigational MSI.
During the navigation season meteorological warnings and forecasts for sections of METAREA XVII and XVIII north of 70 degrees latitude will be broadcast via HF Narrow Band Direct Printing on 8416.5 kHz from the Canadian Coast Guard centre in Iqaluit NU. Scheduled broadcast times are 0330 UTC and 1530 UTC daily.
Mariners should note that actual HF service provision dates will be announced by Canadian Coast Guard notice to shipping.
Ice forecasts are produced once a day year round. The intent is to advise users of any ice warning conditions that are in effect or that could develop during the day, the evening and the following day, for the areas where a daily ice chart is produced. The forecasts also provide a point by point description of the ice edge.
The iceberg bulletin is produced once a day except in November and December when it is produced from Monday to Friday only. The purpose is to convey routine, general information on the iceberg distribution off the Canadian East Coast. The bulletin provides the estimated limit of all known icebergs and a general description of the number of icebergs for each marine area.
Table 8: Ice bulletins production schedule a) Text format:
Forecast name Issue Time Time Zone Marine region Iceberg bulletin
Western and Central Arctic
Hudson and Foxe
Eastern and Northern Arctic
East Newfoundland and Labrador waters
MCTS Centre Name Header Issue Time St John's VON
Ice NAVTEX
FICN33 CWIS
17:50 (W), 21:50 (S) UTC
Sydney VCO
FICN34 CWIS
Labrador VOK
FICN35 CWIS
Prescott VBR
FICN38 CWIS
00:40, 12:40 UTC
Thunder Bay VBA
FICN39 CWIS
06:00, 18:00 UTC
Iqaluit VFF
Ice Warning Criteria Warning name Warning criteria 1. Ice Pressure warning
Reported or forecast strong ice pressure.
2. Rapid Closing of CoastalLeads warning
Rapid closing of coastal leads is expected to occur. Leads are corridors of mainly ice-free water surrounded by pack ice.
3. Special Ice warning
Issued when a shipping lane or port has been open for at least 2 weeks and is now expected to become blocked by first year or older ice, or...
When one tenth or more of grey-white ice or older is expected to move into areas when that ice is not normally present, or...
For any unusual or significant ice event that may present a hazard to navigation.
Ice Forecast Program
Time scales for ice forecasts are relatively long. Useful time scales for ice forecasts are daily, monthly and seasonal. At present, the program provides a 30 day text forecast mainly as a planning tool for operators.
Ice Reports or Ice Observations
Ice reports from ships or aircraft are normally relayed through MCTS centres for broadcast. These reports are all assimilated in the daily ice charts produced by CIS.
Ice Charts Available
Current ice conditions charts are produced on a daily basis. The area covered by the chart depends on the time of year and these charts are normally broadcast at times specified in tables below.
Once a week, CIS produces Regional ice charts. These charts are intended to be used as a planning tool rather than a tactical support tool and are available on the CIS Website at http://www.ice-glaces.ec.gc.ca/ and through commercial communication lines. They are not broadcast through MCTS centres.
In order to better track the ice drift or to verify ice models, CIS deploys between 4 to 8 ice beacons yearly. While most beacons are only reporting their positions, a few are equipped with barometric pressure sensor and longer lasting battery pack to provide surface pressure information in data sparse regions. These devices drift with the ice/iceberg and are relatively small, so they are very hard to detect from a ship especially if they have been covered with snow. Beacons are deployed primarily in the Central Arctic, Eastern Arctic and the Labrador Coast regions. Through partnership with the International Arctic Buoy Program, CIS will provide, when possible, beacon(s) to be deployed in the Beaufort Sea.
Detailed ice forecasts and ice warnings are not broadcast via Weatheradio, however, mariners planning operations in waters impacted by hazardous ice conditions may obtain details regarding ice conditions by consulting the CIS website at
http://www.ice-glaces.ec.gc.ca/ or by contacting their regional MCTS centre. Detailed ice information may also be obtained through consultation with an Environment Canada meteorologist using the “Weather One-on-One" ‘1-900' service at
1-900-565-5555. For cell phone users and credit card billing call 1-888-292-2222. User fees apply.
→ Ice Areas
Areas for which ice forecasts apply are identical to the marine forecasts area. In addition to these, ice forecasts will cover Lake Michigan, and may cover 3 areas along the East Coast (501 to 503), and two more off the Greenland Coast (511-512).
501 Tail of the Grand Banks
502 Flemish
503 Southeast Labrador Sea
511 Greenland Central
512 Greenland North
541 Lake Michigan
The following list describes ice charts produced to support Canadian Coast Guard operations which are available for broadcast. All available charts can be transmitted or re-transmitted on request. MCTS broadcast times are found in Part 2.
Ice Chart (when available) Broadcast site Season Iceberg limit
MCTS Sydney
Northeast or Southeast Newfoundland Waters
MCTS Iqaluit
Northern Hudson Bay
MCTS Iqaluit (Resolute)MCTS Iqaluit
Approaches to Resolute
MCTS Iqaluit (Resolute)
Resolute - Byam
MCTS Iqaluit (Resolute)MCTS Inuvik
MCTS Inuvik
→For correct reception of this broadcast on WMO standard facsimile recorders requiring 2300 Hz for White and 1500 Hz for Black, 1900 Hz centre frequency, radio receivers should be tuned in the UPPER SIDEBAND MODE or USB: add 1.9 to the indicated USB frequencies for FSK frequencies.
→ METOC Halifax (CFH): Broadcasts intended for North Atlantic waters North of 35N and West of 35W. Radiofacsimile transmission commences with a 30 second break followed by a 30 second signal.
Name Call Sign Modulation Index of Cooperation Power Frequencies (kHz) Drum speed MCTS Iqaluit
J3C (FM)
3251.1, 7708.1 (USB)
8456.0, 8454.1 (USB)
METOC Halifax
4271, 6496.4, 10536, 13510
4416, 6915.1
Upon authorized request from Canadian Coast Guard, C-GCFR can transmit observed conditions via satellite fax. Vessels must make a request through the Canadian Coast Guard to receive it.