Environmental Thematic Maps and Graphics:
Sea surface temperature departures (2005 to 2017) from the climate normal, by season at quarter degree grid

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Map: Sea surface temperature departures (2005 to 2017) from the climate normal, by season at quarter degree grid

Description for Map

The title of this map is “Sea surface temperature departures (2005 to 2017) from the climate normal, by season at quarter degree grid.” This map provides a detailed visual representation of the average annual and seasonal surface temperature change of Canada’s oceans.

On the page, there are five maps and a legend to the upper left. The first map (top right) displays average annual surface temperature change, the second map (middle left) displays average spring surface temperature change, the third map (middle right) displays average summer surface temperature change, the fourth map (bottom left) displays average fall surface temperature change and the fifth map (bottom right) displays average winter surface temperature change.

The maps show the gridded change in sea surface temperature in degrees Celsius (°C) by marine ecoregion in different shades of blue, yellow, orange and red. The legend includes nine categories: ≤-0.5 (navy blue), -0.5 to -0.25 (dark blue), -0.25 to -0.1 (light blue), -0.1 to 0 (aqua), 0 to 0.1 (pale yellow), 0.1 to 0.25 (yellow), 0.25 to 0.5 (pale orange), 0.5 to 1 (orange), >1 (red). The legend contains two boundary categories: fine dashed lines indicate provincial boundaries and fine black lines indicate marine ecoregion boundaries.

The maps show that compared to the 1981 to 2010 climate normal, the 2005 to 2017 average annual and seasonal sea surface temperature generally increased on the East Coast, decreased in Hudson Bay, and varied across the Arctic and West Coast. The Scotian Shelf experienced the greatest increase in temperature and areas that experienced the greatest decrease in temperature include the Eastern Arctic, Hudson Bay and Strait of Georgia.

Notes: The climate normal is the three-decade average of climatological variables from 1981 to 2010.Winter data are from January to March with other seasons following sequentially.

Sources:
Locarnini, R. A., et al., 2018. World Ocean Atlas 2018: Volume 1: Temperature, A. Mishonov (Technical Ed.), NOAA Atlas NESDIS 81, 52 pp., https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/OC5/SELECT/woaselect/woaselect.html (accessed November 15, 2019).


Legend
Sea surface temperature
Table summary
This table displays the results of Sea surface temperature. The information is grouped by Category (appearing as row headers), (appearing as column headers).
Category
Temperature change (°C) Colour
≥ 1 Red
0.5 to < 1 Orange
0.25 to < 0.5 Pale orange
0.1 to < 0.25 Yellow
0 to < 0.1 Pale yellow
-0.1 to < 0 Aqua
-0.25 to < -0.1 Light blue
-0.5 to < -0.25 Dark blue
< -0.5 Navy blue
Boundaries Shape
Province/territory Dashed line
Marine ecoregion Black outline

Data
Annual sea surface temperature departures (2005 to 2017) from climate normal, at a quarter degree grid
Table summary
This table displays the results of Annual sea surface temperature departures (2005 to 2017) from climate normal. The information is grouped by Marine ecoregion and depth class (appearing as row headers), Temperature departure classes, Total area, < -0.5°C, -0.5°C to < -0.25°C, -0.25°C to < -0.1°C, -0.1°C to < 0°C, 0°C to < 0.1°C, 0.1°C to < 0.25°C, 0.25°C to < 0.5°C, 0.5°C to < 1°C and ≥ 1°C, calculated using percentage of area and km units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Marine ecoregion and depth class Temperature departure classes Total area
< -0.5°C -0.5°C to < -0.25°C -0.25°C to < -0.1°C -0.1°C to < 0°C 0°C to < 0.1°C 0.1°C to < 0.25°C 0.25°C to < 0.5°C 0.5°C to < 1°C ≥ 1°C
percentage of area km2
Strait of Georgia 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 8,970
Southern Shelf 0.0 0.0 27.9 32.9 32.3 6.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 28,158
Offshore Pacific 0.0 0.0 0.5 9.9 31.7 52.2 5.8 0.0 0.0 315,724
Northern Shelf 0.0 0.0 0.9 22.4 40.9 29.3 6.4 0.0 0.0 101,328
Arctic Basin 0.0 0.1 1.5 31.2 53.9 6.4 6.4 0.4 0.0 752,053
Western Arctic 0.0 1.4 2.9 24.9 24.7 20.1 17.6 8.5 0.0 539,793
Arctic Archipelago 0.0 0.0 7.8 36.1 44.9 10.2 0.9 0.0 0.0 268,797
Eastern Arctic 0.0 3.2 14.1 15.0 19.0 22.5 25.8 0.4 0.0 782,639
Hudson Bay Complex 9.0 18.2 16.2 25.8 24.7 5.8 0.2 0.0 0.0 1,244,644
Newfoundland-Labrador Shelves 0.5 0.7 1.8 2.5 5.9 15.0 43.0 28.4 2.3 1,041,656
Scotian Shelf 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 6.0 42.5 51.3 416,485
Gulf of St. Lawrence 0.0 0.0 0.7 2.2 3.8 33.3 59.0 0.9 0.0 246,645
Total EEZ 2.0 4.6 7.0 17.4 23.3 15.1 17.3 9.2 4.1 5,746,893

Data
Spring sea surface temperature departures (2005 to 2017) from climate normal, at a quarter degree grid
Table summary
This table displays the results of Spring sea surface temperature departures (2005 to 2017) from climate normal. The information is grouped by Marine ecoregion and depth class (appearing as row headers), Temperature departure classes, Total area, < -0.5°C, -0.5°C to < -0.25°C, -0.25°C to < -0.1°C, -0.1°C to < 0°C, 0°C to < 0.1°C, 0.1°C to < 0.25°C, 0.25°C to < 0.5°C, 0.5°C to < 1°C and ≥ 1°C, calculated using percentage of area and km units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Marine ecoregion and depth class Temperature departure classes Total area
< -0.5°C -0.5°C to < -0.25°C -0.25°C to < -0.1°C -0.1°C to < 0°C 0°C to < 0.1°C 0.1°C to < 0.25°C 0.25°C to < 0.5°C 0.5°C to < 1°C ≥ 1°C
percentage of area km2
Strait of Georgia 54.3 45.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 8,970
Southern Shelf 0.3 3.4 51.3 40.9 4.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 28,158
Offshore Pacific 0.0 2.5 12.7 23.3 35.9 20.3 5.1 0.0 0.0 315,724
Northern Shelf 0.0 2.1 13.2 8.9 17.7 24.0 34.1 0.0 0.0 101,328
Arctic Basin 0.3 0.4 1.1 25.0 61.0 5.2 2.8 2.5 1.7 752,053
Western Arctic 2.3 3.0 3.2 42.5 20.0 2.5 3.2 14.2 9.0 539,793
Arctic Archipelago 0.3 0.2 0.5 51.1 44.3 2.4 0.9 0.3 0.0 268,797
Eastern Arctic 5.3 2.7 6.0 23.1 37.8 16.9 4.2 2.6 1.3 782,639
Hudson Bay Complex 2.6 3.8 16.2 62.2 14.2 0.6 0.3 0.1 0.0 1,244,644
Newfoundland-Labrador Shelves 10.3 5.8 6.0 5.2 7.2 22.4 27.7 14.7 0.8 1,041,656
Scotian Shelf 0.0 0.9 1.2 1.8 2.3 5.2 9.8 40.9 37.9 416,485
Gulf of St. Lawrence 9.0 3.5 4.3 6.8 10.3 38.3 23.4 4.0 0.5 246,645
Total EEZ 3.9 3.0 7.3 29.3 24.4 11.1 9.0 7.9 4.2 5,746,893

Data
Summer sea surface temperature departures (2005 to 2017) from climate normal, at a quarter degree grid
Table summary
This table displays the results of Summer sea surface temperature departures (2005 to 2017) from climate normal. The information is grouped by Marine ecoregion and depth class (appearing as row headers), Temperature departure classes, Total area, < -0.5°C, -0.5°C to < -0.25°C, -0.25°C to < -0.1°C, -0.1°C to < 0°C, 0°C to < 0.1°C, 0.1°C to < 0.25°C, 0.25°C to < 0.5°C, 0.5°C to < 1°C and ≥ 1°C, calculated using percentage of area and km units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Marine ecoregion and depth class Temperature departure classes Total area
< -0.5°C -0.5°C to < -0.25°C -0.25°C to < -0.1°C -0.1°C to < 0°C 0°C to < 0.1°C 0.1°C to < 0.25°C 0.25°C to < 0.5°C 0.5°C to < 1°C ≥ 1°C
percentage of area km2
Strait of Georgia 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.8 95.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 8,970
Southern Shelf 0.0 0.0 0.0 7.6 18.9 70.1 3.4 0.0 0.0 28,158
Offshore Pacific 0.0 0.0 3.5 13.0 11.8 22.8 33.1 15.8 0.0 315,724
Northern Shelf 0.0 1.4 38.7 11.5 6.1 15.4 20.3 6.6 0.0 101,328
Arctic Basin 0.3 2.8 8.5 37.3 25.9 14.8 5.2 3.9 1.3 752,053
Western Arctic 1.5 5.7 10.9 10.1 10.3 15.6 17.2 14.7 14.1 539,793
Arctic Archipelago 3.9 9.2 10.4 31.4 21.6 10.2 11.0 1.6 0.7 268,797
Eastern Arctic 5.0 5.1 8.6 10.0 8.9 10.0 12.1 21.9 18.4 782,639
Hudson Bay Complex 33.7 8.2 11.9 12.3 5.8 12.7 11.9 3.5 0.0 1,244,644
Newfoundland-Labrador Shelves 0.0 0.3 3.0 2.9 4.4 9.4 27.2 42.3 10.4 1,041,656
Scotian Shelf 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.0 3.4 7.4 7.6 48.8 30.8 416,485
Gulf of St. Lawrence 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.0 12.6 55.1 29.3 246,645
Total EEZ 8.4 3.9 7.8 12.9 9.7 12.4 15.2 20.3 9.4 5,746,893

Data
Fall sea surface temperature departures (2005 to 2017) from climate normal, at a quarter degree grid
Table summary
This table displays the results of Fall sea surface temperature departures (2005 to 2017) from climate normal. The information is grouped by Marine ecoregion and depth class (appearing as row headers), Temperature departure classes, Total area, < -0.5°C, -0.5°C to < -0.25°C, -0.25°C to < -0.1°C, -0.1°C to < 0°C, 0°C to < 0.1°C, 0.1°C to < 0.25°C, 0.25°C to < 0.5°C, 0.5°C to < 1°C and ≥ 1°C, calculated using percentage of area and km units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Marine ecoregion and depth class Temperature departure classes Total area
< -0.5°C -0.5°C to < -0.25°C -0.25°C to < -0.1°C -0.1°C to < 0°C 0°C to < 0.1°C 0.1°C to < 0.25°C 0.25°C to < 0.5°C 0.5°C to < 1°C ≥ 1°C
percentage of area km2
Strait of Georgia 0.0 0.0 49.4 14.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 8,970
Southern Shelf 0.0 22.3 18.2 7.3 9.5 14.3 28.3 0.0 0.0 28,158
Offshore Pacific 0.0 1.4 6.7 11.8 16.5 36.6 26.9 0.0 0.0 315,724
Northern Shelf 0.0 2.9 29.4 23.6 14.8 20.9 8.4 0.0 0.0 101,328
Arctic Basin 0.5 0.4 0.9 55.2 27.8 7.8 4.6 2.7 0.0 752,053
Western Arctic 0.6 1.1 3.4 35.2 50.4 7.7 1.6 0.0 0.0 539,793
Arctic Archipelago 0.2 0.2 0.2 70.5 25.1 1.9 1.7 0.2 0.0 268,797
Eastern Arctic 0.2 11.8 14.9 21.4 20.1 14.4 10.9 6.4 0.0 782,639
Hudson Bay Complex 14.2 17.3 15.8 10.3 17.3 16.2 7.5 1.3 0.2 1,244,644
Newfoundland-Labrador Shelves 0.9 3.2 4.3 4.7 6.0 10.9 36.6 23.7 9.9 1,041,656
Scotian Shelf 2.4 1.0 0.5 0.7 0.3 1.7 6.0 28.5 58.9 416,485
Gulf of St. Lawrence 0.0 8.9 10.7 6.4 6.9 11.6 16.4 23.9 15.2 246,645
Total EEZ 3.6 6.8 8.3 21.3 18.7 12.3 13.5 8.9 6.7 5,746,893

Data
Winter sea surface departures (2005 to 2017) from climate normal, at a quarter degree grid
Table summary
This table displays the results of Winter sea surface departures (2005 to 2017) from climate normal. The information is grouped by Marine ecoregion and depth class (appearing as row headers), Temperature departure classes, Total area, < -0.5°C, -0.5°C to < -0.25°C, -0.25°C to < -0.1°C, -0.1°C to < 0°C, 0°C to < 0.1°C, 0.1°C to < 0.25°C, 0.25°C to < 0.5°C, 0.5°C to < 1°C and ≥ 1°C, calculated using percentage of area and km units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Marine ecoregion and depth class Temperature departure classes Total area
< -0.5°C -0.5°C to < -0.25°C -0.25°C to < -0.1°C -0.1°C to < 0°C 0°C to < 0.1°C 0.1°C to < 0.25°C 0.25°C to < 0.5°C 0.5°C to < 1°C ≥ 1°C
percentage of area km2
Strait of Georgia 0.0 79.5 20.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 8,970
Southern Shelf 2.9 28.9 45.4 22.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 28,158
Offshore Pacific 0.0 3.0 20.0 21.9 28.2 22.1 4.8 0.0 0.0 315,724
Northern Shelf 0.0 0.8 12.5 15.2 24.5 26.9 15.7 4.4 0.0 101,328
Arctic Basin 1.9 1.3 2.6 40.6 45.2 5.0 1.7 1.6 0.0 752,053
Western Arctic 0.3 0.7 1.1 41.8 54.4 1.4 0.4 0.0 0.0 539,793
Arctic Archipelago 0.0 0.4 0.3 36.7 50.4 9.0 2.3 0.9 0.1 268,797
Eastern Arctic 0.3 5.0 6.8 54.3 24.7 3.9 4.7 0.2 0.0 782,639
Hudson Bay Complex 6.2 3.4 4.8 44.8 22.0 8.2 8.6 1.8 0.2 1,244,644
Newfoundland-Labrador Shelves 1.9 2.2 2.6 5.4 4.5 8.4 25.7 39.7 9.5 1,041,656
Scotian Shelf 0.0 0.1 0.7 2.6 3.7 4.8 15.5 34.5 38.0 416,485
Gulf of St. Lawrence 19.3 24.9 9.4 12.5 18.3 12.4 3.0 0.2 0.0 246,645
Total EEZ 2.9 3.6 4.9 31.3 25.4 7.6 9.3 10.4 4.5 5,746,893
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