These real-time information products generally serve strategic (day-to-day) or tactical (longer-term) planning and operational purposes. They illustrate ice or iceberg conditions at a particular moment in time, and present data using a standard international code (known as the Egg Code).

The following charts are freely available from the Canadian Ice Service Web site (to view them, please go to our Ice Conditions section):

• Daily Ice Analysis Charts
  • View 2006 Ice Chart Production Schedule
  • View Chart Extents
• Daily Iceberg Analysis Charts
• Weekly and Monthly Regional Ice Charts
  • View Chart Extents
• Regional Ice Chart Departure from Normal Concentration
• St. Lawrence River Ice Charts
• Recommended Route for the Gulf of St.Lawrence
• Image Analysis Charts (NOAA and RADARSAT)
• Aircraft Ice Charts (CFR)

(Note: some of the charts below are also available in colour.)

Daily Ice Analysis Charts (top)

These charts represent the best estimate of daily ice conditions at the time of issue, based on an analysis and integration of data from the most accurate available sources, such as shore-, ship- and aircraft-based visual observation and remote sensing devices in aircraft and satellites.

They are prepared daily during the ice season and delivered to users in time for planning the next day's activities.

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The charts (scale of 1:2 million) describe ice conditions by predominant ice type, stage of development and form of ice, and include a 24-hour forecast of the drift of freely moving ice. The boundary lines for different ice conditions, of particular importance to navigation, are indicated by established rules. Ice information is presented in the Egg Code format and colour-coded format using the WMO Standard.

2006 Ice Chart Production Schedule
Chart	Production Date
Hudson Strait	19 June**
Northern Hudson Bay	26 June*
Southern Hudson Bay	03 July *
Foxe Basin	14 August *
Davis Strait	19 June**
Baffin Bay	10 July *
Approaches to Resolute	17 July *
Eureka	14 August *
Alaskan Coast	17 July**
Amundsen Gulf	24 July *
Queen Maud	24 July *
M'Clure Strait	Special Request only
Bering Strait	10-24 July *

* Dates are tentative
** Detailed ice information may be available only for part of the region at first.
Note: Some charts may not be available everyday depending on shipping activity in the vicinity of ice.

Daily Iceberg Analysis Chart (top)

This chart presents the best estimates of daily iceberg conditions in East Coast waters south of 60° N. The projections are based on visual observations from shore, ships and aircraft, as well as data collected from airborne radar adjusted to a single time (1200 UTC on the day of issue) by computer model projections of iceberg drift and deterioration.

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The iceberg analysis chart (scale of 1:8 million) include an estimate of the number of icebergs found per degree square of latitude and longitude (not including any bergy bits or growlers typically found around parent icebergs), the iceberg limit, the sea-ice limit, and the known data limit (area covered by the last reconnaissance flights).

This chart is particularly important for those who require iceberg information in East Coast waters, such as ship operators planning routes in the Atlantic and offshore drilling companies.

Weekly and Monthly Regional Ice Charts (top)

These charts show the estimated ice conditions for a given region at a specific date. They are based on an analysis and integration of all available data on ice conditions, including weather and oceanographic information, visual observations from shore, ship and aircraft, airborne radar, and satellite imagery.

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The charts indicate where significant changes in the amount, stage of development and form of the predominant ice type have occurred. They also list the weekly mean and normal temperatures of five stations in the region, which gives an indication of the factors contributing to current ice conditions. Ice information is presented in the Egg Code format and colour-coded format using the WMO Standard.

The (weekly or monthly) "snapshot" of ice conditions provided by the charts is useful for the strategic planning of marine operations by the Canadian Coast Guard and by shipping companies. These charts are also valuable to researchers studying ice conditions over time.

These products show the differences of concentration between the current regional ice chart and the Median of Ice Concentration for the period 1971-2000 as shown in our climatic ice atlases.

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Regions in red indicate less ice than normal and regions in blue more ice than normal. Different shades of red and blue correspond to different categories of concentration departures as shown in the chart legend. Also note that regions with normal concentrations are shown in white. This allows for a quick comparison between current conditions and normal conditions.

Regions and availability are the same as for the Weekly and Monthly Regional Ice Charts. However, users should note that this being a climatic product derived from the regional chart it will not be available at the same time (a delay of up to 2 hours can be expected).

St. Lawrence River Ice Charts (top)

These charts present critical information on ice conditions in the region at the time of the reconnaissance, based on data collected through visual observations by Ice Service Specialists onboard Canadian Coast Guard ships and helicopters.

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Using the Egg Code format, the chart provides details on the concentration and boundaries of the ice, types and stage of development, floe sizes, leads and fractures, surface topography (ridging and rafting), snow cover, and icebergs where present. The area of coverage is restricted to the flight path of the helicopters. With good visibility, visual observations are highly accurate, with a resolution of one to two metres (the size of brash ice). Theses charts are usually available from December to May.

These charts are regularly used for ship routing by the Canadian Coast Guard, and by companies and other organizations needing detailed information on ice conditions for operational or research purposes.

Recommended Route for the Gulf of St.Lawrence (top)

A new product shows the recommended shipping route directly on the daily ice chart for the Gulf. The route is added by the Canadian Coast Guards Quebec Ice Centre to create this new value added product. This product may be issued even if no ice route is in effect and will display the information from the ship traffic lane system.

Note that this product is provided for reference purposes only and that mariners should still refer to the SRCN03 ice bulletin to obtain exact route waypoints latitudes/longitudes for navigation.

You can find this product under the East Coast region of the clickable map or under Ice Charts (colour) in our Product Search or Product List.

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Image Analysis Charts (NOAA and RADARSAT)(top)

NOAA Image Analysis Charts

These charts provide an estimate of actual ice conditions based on images received from the United States National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration/Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (NOAA AVHRR) satellite. Under ideal conditions, NOAA imagery has a resolution of one to four kilometres. The data are affected by cloud cover, darkness and snow-cover conditions.

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The satellite imagery is integrated with all other previous data on ice conditions in the region at the time of analysis, including visual observations from shore, ship and aircraft, as well as airborne radar and satellite "Synthetic Aperture Radar" (SAR) imagery.

Areas of differing ice conditions are described using the International Standard Ice Code on a variable scale chart. The code describes the ice in terms of total and partial concentrations, and the stages of development and form of the three main ice types present.

NOAA image analysis charts are used primarily by Canadian Coast Guard offices and ships for tactical (day-to-day planning) purposes.

RADARSAT Image Analysis Charts

These charts provide a high level of detail on ice conditions for a given area, as interpreted from SAR imagery from the RADARSAT satellite. Under ideal conditions, SAR-RADARSAT imagery has a resolution of 100 metres. The data are affected by rough sea conditions, the presence of water on the surface of the ice during the melting season, and by heavy rainfall.

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Areas of differing ice conditions are described using the International Standard Ice Code on a variable scale chart. The code describes the ice in terms of total and partial concentrations, the stages of development for up to eight ice types and the form of the three main ice types present. SAR analysis charts are used primarily by Canadian Coast Guard offices and ships for tactical (day-to-day planning) purposes.

Aircraft Ice Charts (CFR) (top)

These charts present critical information on ice conditions in the region at the time of the reconnaissance, based on data collected through visual observations by Ice Service Specialists by means of "Side-Looking-Airborne-Radar" (SLAR) aboard the Service's Dash-7 aircraft (CFR). The charts are available year-round but coverage varies depending on the season.

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Using the Egg Code format, the chart provides details on the concentration and boundaries of the ice, types and stage of development, floe sizes, leads and fractures, surface topography (ridging and rafting), snow cover and icebergs where present. The chart is usually prepared on a 1:1 million scale to allow for as much detail as possible. The area of coverage is restricted to the flight path of the aircraft and helicopters. With good visibility, visual observations are highly accurate, with a resolution of one to two metres (the size of brash ice).

Aircraft ice charts are regularly used for ship routing by the Canadian Coast Guard, and by companies and other organizations that need detailed information on ice conditions for operational or research purposes.

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Last Updated: 2003-05-07

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