Density

Vertical and horizontal seawater density gradients throughout a tide cycle in the Upper St. Lawrence Estuary. (avi format, 2,609 KB)

This animation presents a cross-section (upper part of the image) and a top view (bottom portion) of the Upper St. Lawrence Estuary showing the water stratification in the Laurentian Trough. The fresher waters from the St. Lawrence River, more upstream (to the left on the image), remain on the surface as they are less dense than the waters of marine origin from the Gulf of St. Lawrence. These marine waters remain in the deepest part of the channel, more downstream (to the right on the image). The sill at Île Rouge (in the center of the image), located off shore at the mouth of the Saguenay, acts as a barrier to the denser marine waters.

Source: Numerical Forecast Laboratory, Maurice Lamontagne Institute.

Sea ice concentration forecasts

• from January 5, 2006 to April 28, 2006 (animated gif, 900 KB)
• from January 5, 2005 to May 10, 2005 (animated gif, 900 KB)
• from December 16, 2003 to May 17, 2004 (animated gif, 900 KB)
• from January 1, 2003 to May 7, 2003 (animated gif, 900 KB)

These animations present sea ice concentration forecast for the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. The scale represents the ice concentration in tenth of the area covered by ice. For example, a dark red area on the chart corresponds to a concentration of 10/10 on the scale or 100% coverage, while a light blue may correspond to 3/10 or 30%.

Source: Physical Modelling Laboratory, Maurice Lamontagne Institute.

Water Levels / Currents

Water levels in the St. Lawrence River and Upper Estuary (Montreal-Quebec section) (avi format, 324 KB).

This animation presents water level oscillations in an area of the St. Lawrence between Montreal and Quebec City over a 40-hour period.

Source: Numerical Forecast Laboratory, Maurice Lamontagne Institute.

Tidal currents and water levels in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence (avi format, 1,615 KB).

This animation shows tidal propagation in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence over a 24-hour period. Coloured zones correspond to water levels, going from red for high tide to blue for low tide. The direction of surface currents is represented by arrows, their size being proportional to current intensity.

Source: Numerical Forecast Laboratory, Maurice Lamontagne Institute.