Secrets of the Saint-Lawrence - Marine Weather Guide

Solar energy

Côte-Nord

The sun is shining brightly. The air is calm. The smell of coffee lingers in the air. It looks like a beautiful morning.

Gradually, a cool breeze picks up over the water. It's time to hoist the sails if you want to enjoy a few hours of good sailing wind. The sea breeze is in your favour.

Sea breeze
The sea breeze is the result of the sun shining on the shore. As the land heats up, the air becomes lighter and rises. The cooler air from the sea moves in to take its place.

Initially, the breeze is perpendicular to the shore. Then, as it picks up speed, it gradually shifts to the right and ends up blowing against the shore at an angle.

It disappears shortly before sunset.

On the Basse-Côte-Nord, it may be felt as far as 15 nautical miles offshore and may reach 25 knots.

Gradual shift in sea breeze

Anabatic wind
When the sea breeze hits the opening of a steep valley, it is
strengthened by the anabatic wind. This is a wind that flows up the valley, as it is created by the warm air rising up the hillsides.

The anabatic wind is stronger when the mouth of the valley faces south.

Anabatic wind

Last updated: 2002-12-16