Seasonal Outlook for the Gulf of St Lawrence and East Newfoundland Waters - Winter 2011-2012

Appendix A - Stages of Development of Lake Ice and Egg Code

For more information on this section, please refer to the following web link on the Canadian Ice Service website:

http://www.ec.gc.ca/glaces-ice/default.asp?lang=En&n=84F6AA59-1&wsdoc=FE5C2688-21A8-4165-8FFB-5D28B2A1D943

 or on the National Ice Center website:

http://www.natice.noaa.gov/products/egg_code.html

Appendix B - General information from the Canadian Coast Guard

General information regarding transmission times for bulletins and charts from various radio broadcast stations:

http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/eng/CCG/MCTS_Radio_Aids

Appendix C - WMO (World Meteorological Organization) Colour Code

Information regarding the ice chart colour code using the WMO standard could be found at the link below:

http://www.ec.gc.ca/glaces-ice/default.asp?lang=En&n=D5F7EA14-1&offset=1&toc=show

Appendix D - Ice Services for Canadian East Coast Waters

In Canada, ice services are provided to shipping and fishing operators by a co-operative effort of Environment Canada and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Department of Fisheries and Oceans, through the Canadian Coast Guard, provides icebreaker services and operates a seasonal Ice Operations Office in Quebec City and Halifax.  Canadian Ice Service of the Meteorological Service of Canada (division of Environment Canada) is responsible for gathering and generating ice information services and forecasts.

The following forecasts are issued:

1. Gulf of St. Lawrence Ice Forecast (FICN17): A tactical ice bulletin with an ice edge delimiter and, if required, a warning of hazardous ice conditions for the next 36 hours.    This Ice forecast briefly describes general ice conditions within each marine forecast area.
2. East Newfoundland Waters Ice Forecast (FICN18):  A tactical ice bulletin with an ice edge delimiter and, if required, a warning of current hazardous ice conditions for the next 36 hours.  This Ice forecast briefly describes general ice conditions within each marine forecast area.
3. Iceberg Bulletin (FICN10): a description of the general distribution of icebergs in Newfoundland waters and along the Labrador Coast.
   
   Ice bulletins on ice conditions in the St. Lawrence River below Montreal are prepared twice daily (SRCN01 and SRCN03) by the CCG ice office in Quebec City.

Daily ice charts and a weekly "Regional Ice Chart" covering a larger area are issued by Canadian Ice Service.  In addition to the distribution outlined in Appendix B, ice forecasts and bulletins and the Seasonal Outlook are available from the Canadian Ice Service website (http://ice-glaces.ec.gc.ca).  The seasonal outlook is issued once yearly then updated twice monthly by 30-day forecasts.

For further information concerning these services please contact Canadian Ice Service by phone 877-789-7733, facsimile 613-947-9160 or e-mail at:

ECWeather-meteo@ec.gc.ca

Canadian Coast Guard Ice Operation Offices provide ship routing advice and arrange for icebreaker support when available and necessary.  In order to obtain maximum benefit from Ice Operation Offices, it is essential that Masters report to 'ECAREG CANADA' office before entering ice covered waters.