Labrador Current 
The Labrador Current, originating from cold arctic water flowing 
southeast through Davis Strait at speeds of 0.2 to 0.5 knot and from 
a westward branching of the warmer West Greenland Current, sets 
southeast along the Continental Shelf of the Canadian coast. 
At Hudson Strait, part of the current sets into the strait along 
its north shore. The outflow of fresh water along the south shore of 
the strait from the large land area surrounding the Hudson Bay and 
Hudson Strait region augments the part of the current flowing along 
the Labrador coast. The current also appears to be influenced by 
surface outflow from inlets and fiords along the Labrador coast. 
The Labrador Current usually is described as being more persistent 
over the narrow Continental Shelf than elsewhere; however, there may 
be seasonal fluctuations in the strength and volume of the current, 
depending on the amount of fresh water discharge and runoff along the 
coast during the spring and variations in speed and direction resulting 
from tidal influences. The prevailing current, on the basis of movement 
of bergs and surface drift observations, appears to extend some distance 
offshore. The mean speed is about 0.5 knot, but current speeds at times 
may reach 1.5 or 2.0 knots. 
The surface current roses in Figure 26 show thé distribution of 
observations in the southern part of the current and the slight seasonal 
Fluctuations. Calms average about 3 percent. 
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