Marine weather products and services: Manitoba Lakes

Available Forecast Products

The Regular Forecast, or short-term marine forecast, is issued three times per day and covers the current day and the next day. It includes detailed information on winds, and a general description of weather conditions. It also includes any wind warnings in effect at the time.

Issue Times: Central Daylight Time / Central Standard Time (CDT/CST): 3:00 a.m.; 11:30 a.m.; 4:30 p.m.

The Extended Forecast is issued twice per day and covers the period from the end of the Regular Forecast to the end of the fifth day of the forecast period (includes days three to five). It includes only a general description of expected wind conditions.

Issue Times (CDT/CST): 3:00 a.m.; 4:30 p.m.

The Marine Weather Statement is a non-scheduled bulletin which is issued to inform the marine community of non-severe, but potentially hazardous, conditions. It may also be issued to warn mariners of very significant weather features expected in the three to five day forecast.

Note: Updated forecasts are issued as required.

What is Included in a Marine Forecast?

Wind Speed and Direction: The wind speed is the average wind that is expected over the open water and is given in units of knots (1 kt = 1.852 km/h). Wind direction refers to the direction from which the wind is blowing (based on true north and not on magnetic north). Wind conditions close to shore may vary from the forecast winds due to the influence of coastal terrain on the prevailing wind pattern.

Weather and Visibility: In addition to a brief description of the weather, a statement is included in the forecast when visibility is expected to be reduced to near or below one nautical mile (1.852 km).

 Air Temperature: Air temperatures are included in the forecast only if temperatures are expected to be at or below 0° Celsius.

Marine Weather Warnings

Wind Warnings are included in the Regular Forecast when wind speeds are expected to be in the following categories:

  • Strong Wind Warning 20-33 knots
    (Issued from early May to early December)
  • Gale Warning 34-47 knots
  • Storm Warning 48-63 knots
  • Hurricane Force Wind Warning 64 knots or greater
    (This warning does not mean that an actual hurricane is expected or occurring.)

Note: Strong Wind, Gale, Storm, Hurricane Force Wind Warnings are not issued as separate warning bulletins. Rather, they are mentioned or "flagged" in the Regular Forecast.

Localized Warnings and Watches are issued for any hazardous weather conditions that require the immediate attention of the mariner. High coastal waters, for example, would require a specialized warning. These warnings/watches are issued as separate warning bulletins, and except for the High Water Level Warning, they are not included as part of the Regular Forecast.

How to Get Your Marine Forecast 

For complete details about how to get your marine forecast information from Environment Canada, visit the Get Your Weather section on the Weather and Meteorology page of Environment Canada’s web site. 

Environment Canada's marine weather forecasts are also available via the Canadian Coast Guard's Continuous Marine Broadcast on your VHF radio. For information about Coast Guard’s weather broadcast frequencies, visit Coast Guard’s most current Radio Aids to Marine Navigation publication.

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