Data Products and Services

An Ocean Forecasting System for the Northwest Atlantic and Canadian Arctic

Temperature on 2010-09-01 0900Z near 0m

The C-NOOFS ocean modeling system has application in improving Canada’s weather forecasts for use in transportation and search and rescue and to improve our understanding of ecosystems, such as input to a model used for annual predictions of the ideal habitat for snow crab in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence

Research scientists at the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre in St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, have developed a pre-operational ocean forecast system for the Northwest Atlantic. The Canada-Newfoundland Operational Ocean Forecasting System (C-NOOFS) produces forecasts and analysis of oceanic conditions in the Northwest Atlantic, including currents, temperatures, salinity and waves.

A new feature of the system that was developed in 2009–2010 is a validation package and methodology to provide researchers and end users with a description, in near-real time, of how well the ocean forecast system reproduces observations taken by satellite or measurements gathered by the Department during in-situ ocean monitoring. This validation methodology is essential for using ground truth data* to improve the forecasting system.

* In remote sensing, “ground truth data” refers to measurements made on the ground to confirm and calibrate observations made from aerial or space platforms.

The new system integrates all available ocean data collected by international ocean agencies, including Fisheries and Oceans Canada, satellite information collected by the European Space Agency and NASA, global ocean forecast information from the French national ocean forecast agency (Mercator-Ocean) and atmospheric weather conditions supplied by Environment Canada. Based on this information, the system produces a 10-day forecast of ocean conditions on a daily basis. It can also be used in historical reconstruction mode to provide a best available description of ocean conditions in the Northwest Atlantic over the last 10 years.

The integrated system from the Canada-France collaboration now provides a six-kilometre resolution ocean forecast in which realistic features such as the meandering Labrador Current are visible. The Canadian Navy is planning to use the system and the Canadian Coast Guard has already adapted its software to use the system. Work is under way to expand the area covered to include the Canadian Arctic. In addition, Fisheries and Oceans Canada researchers are collaborating with Environment Canada to combine the ocean forecasting system into the next-generation Canadian Weather Forecast System. For more information, please visit: http://www.c-noofs.gc.ca

The SPINE System Ensures a Safe Trip

The SPINE system can be used to determine water levels in the navigable portion of the St. Lawrence River between Montreal and Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive. The calculation is done on a series of individual points (called steps) that are close enough together to perform linear interpolation. The water level values calculated are adjusted with the most up-to-date observations from 15 Coastal and Ocean Water Level Information System network stations.

The SPINE system can be used to determine water levels in the navigable portion of the St. Lawrence River between Montreal and Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive. The calculation is done on a series of individual points (called steps) that are close enough together to perform linear interpolation. The water level values calculated are adjusted with the most up-to-date observations from 15 Coastal and Ocean Water Level Information System network stations.

SPINE (Service de prévision et d’interpolation des niveaux d’eau), a water-level prediction service developed by the Canadian Hydrographic Service, provides accurate, real-time estimates of water levels in all parts of the navigable waterway between Montreal and Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive, downstream from Québec City. Navigators on the St. Lawrence using a recent Electronic Chart Display and Information System tool will be able to integrate water levels and see the available water column, either in real-time or when planning their trip.

Having undergone a trial run in 2008, this web-based data service is currently in its demonstration phase. It can provide water level values for the navigable portion of the St. Lawrence in real time and up to 30 days in advance. The system uses results from a one-dimensional digital circulation model that integrates upstream flows from Lake Ontario and the Ottawa River, flows from lateral tributaries and estimates of water levels at Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive driven by winds and tides. The Canadian Hydrographic Service eventually hopes to be able to respond to requests for historical data, to help mariners with post-trip analysis so they are able to validate the water level and use it to make the best estimate of the actual underkeel clearance of their ship at a given time and location.