Atlantic Canada regional marine guide

The coastline of Atlantic Canada is long and varied. Its diversity and uniqueness is rivaled only by its inhabitants and the weather they experience. This region extends from the energetic tides of the Bay of Fundy; to the near tropical waters of the Scotian Slope; to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, where the fresh waters of the St. Lawrence River meet the briny inflow of the Atlantic; east to the stormy Grand Banks; and northward along the cold Labrador Current. This region is home to rapidly developing storms, changeable weather conditions and more than the odd hurricane. It experiences some of the harshest weather in the world and is home to the foggiest place on earth.

Those who make their living on the waters along and off the Atlantic coast have, through the generations, developed an innate understanding of the climate and weather here. Through countless consultations and interviews, their shared experiences and stories have helped to shape this guide. The information to follow comes directly from those discussions and research done by staff of the Meteorological Service of Canada.

In this guide you will learn about our climatology (prevailing wind, weather, sea conditions, tides and currents), local wind and weather effects experienced along the vast coastlines of our 4 provinces, as well as some mariner’s tips and stories along the way.

It is recommended that you also download and read the MET 101 portion of the guide in order to better understand the meteorology that is described in the Atlantic Regional Marine Guide.