Overview
This dataset provides in-situ surface observations archived by the Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC). It containes data from the MSC operational observation system as well as from their parteners. Therefore, not all stations are QC or maintained by MSC. The network of stations containes stations with only automatic instruments, and human observing (or manual) stations.
Provider's contact information
Environment and Climate Change Canada
donneesclimatiquesenligne-climatedataonline@ec.gc.ca
Licensing
Open Government Licence - Canada.
Variable name and units:
Hourly temperature in degrees Celsius (°C)
Maximum daily temperature in degrees Celsius (°C);
Minimum daily temperature in degrees Celsius (°C);
Mean daily temperature in degrees Celsius (°C);
Monthly Mean Temperature (°C) and Days with Valid Mean Temperature
Highest Monthly Maximum Temperature (°C) and Days with Valid Maximum Temperature
Lowest Monthly Minimum Temperature (°C) and Days with Valid Minimum Temperature
Spatial coverage and resolution:
Canada, point locations.
Temporal coverage and resolution:
Time period varies per station with data for in the North starting in 1940’s or 1950’s until present.
The data is available at the hourly, daily and monthly time steps.
The data will continue to be updated regularly.
Information about observations (number, homogeneity)
The number of active stations changed over time. The following figure from Mekis et al. (2018) is presenting the locations of the surface weather stations across Canada with a Needs Index map in the background as of September 2016.
Figure 1. Surface weather stations across Canada, as of September 2016, with a Needs Index map in the background. For further details on station network evolution see Mekis et al. 2018. [Source: Mekis et al., 2018].
Most of the stations over Northern Canda are ECCC atomatic stations, stations from the Cooperative Climate Network of ECCC (a network of volunteer climate observers using high quality sensors provided and maintained by MSC), and stations from the Aviation Monitoring Station network (which include automated and staffed weather stations) operated by NAV CANADA and the Department of National Defence (DND).
Methodology
Raw and quality-controlled station observations are archived and managed by the MSC’s Archive Operations and Climate Services. Observations from different instruments are stored in different formats in the national archive. The methodology, the instruments and the location of instruments have changed in time. The following is summarising some information that should be considered when using historic station data.
For climate stations operating on a 24 hour basis, before June 1, 1957, the climatological day for precipitation and maximum temperature ends at 1230Z of the following day, and the climatological day for minimum temperatures ends at 0030Z of the following day; from June 1, 1957 to June 30, 1961, the climatological day for precipitation and maximum temperature ends at 1200Z of the following day and the climatological day for minimum temperatures ends at 0000Z of the following day; since July 1, 1961, the climatological day for temperature and precipitation ends at 0600Z of the following day.
At locations with no hourly observations, observation times are generally morning and evening. In general, the climatological day for precipitation and maximum temperature ends at the morning observation of the following day. The climatological day for minimum temperatures ends at the afternoon observation of the current day. In cases where knowing time-of-observation is critical, the best approach is to check the historical inspection reports for the climate station.
Daily temperature values are derived from: (1) the Daily Climate Stations (that are producing two observations per day: daily minimum temperature and daily maximum temperature) or Synop stations that provided daily measures separately from hourly measurements, and more resently (2) from hourly stations (that typically measure instantaneous data at each hour). For the first type of stations, temperature measurements are made from self-registering maximum and minimum thermometers set in a louvered, wooden shelter. The shelter is mounted on a stand so that the thermometers are approximately 1.5 m above ground, which is usually a level, grassy surface. For hourly stations, maximum temperature is the highest temperature recorded in a 24-hour period ending in the morning of the next day. The minimum values are for a period of the same length, beginning in the evening of the previous day. Mean temperature is the average of the two.
Monthly temperature values include monthly averages and extremes (mean, maximum and minimum temperatures). This data is available from stations that have daily data.
Information about the technical and scientific quality
This dataset represents Environment and Climate Change Canada’s official station observations. Data are subject to change on an on-going basis as MSC is constantly QCing the data from ECCC stations. Not all data has the same level of QA/QC (i.e. aviation dat is not QA/QC by MSC but by NAV CANADA).
Limitations and strengths for application in North Canada
It is a challenge to sustain a cost-effective observing system over Norther Canada because of a large part of the teritory is constituted by remote areas (it is hard for technicians to fly to the site for maintenance, and they often have to wait for the thaw) and the cliamtic conditions produce a large risk of instruments to freese, and for power and telecommunication outages. Concequently, observations in Nortehrn Canada are sparse and records are often incomplete.
References to documents describing the methodology or/and the dataset
The manual specific for aviation observations/reports (MANOBS): http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2019/eccc/En56-238-2-2018-eng.pdf
The manual of Climatological Observations used by the Cooperative Climate Network of ECCC (MANCLIM): https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2012/ec/En56-238-3-2012-eng.pdf
https://climate.weather.gc.ca/doc/Technical_Documentation.pdf
Link to download the data and format of data:
Hourly, Daily and Monthly
Database searchable by location for CSV via CDO/MSC/ECCC: https://climate.weather.gc.ca/historical_data/search_historic_data_e.html
Only Hourly:
Map based extraction tool for GeoJSON and CSV on CCCS/ECCC: https://climate-change.canada.ca/climate-data/#/hourly-climate-data
Note: Only a subset of the total stations is shown due to size limitations. The priorities for inclusion are as follows: (1) Station is currently operational, (2) Stations with long periods of record, (3) Stations that are co-located with the categories above and supplement the period of record. For additional stations not included, go to CDO/MSC/ECCC.
Only Daily
Map based extraction tool for GeoJSON and CSV on CCCS/ECCC: https://climate-change.canada.ca/climate-data/#/daily-climate-data
CSV via MSC/ECCC: https://dd.weather.gc.ca/climate/observations/daily/
Note: Only a subset of the total stations is shown due to size limitations. The priorities for inclusion are as follows: (1) Station is currently operational, (2) Stations with long periods of record, (3) Stations that are co-located with the categories above and supplement the period of record. For additional stations not included, go to CDO/MSC/ECCC.
Only Monthly
Map based extraction tool for GeoJSON and CSV on CCCS/ECCC: https://climate-change.canada.ca/climate-data/#/monthly-climate-summaries
CSV via MSC/ECCC: https://dd.weather.gc.ca/climate/observations/monthly/
Publications including dataset evaluation or comparison with other data in northern Canada
There are no publications that evaluate station data specifically on northern Canada. The following papers are providing general discussions on the issues with station data in Canada, with focus on temperature data.
Vincent, L.A., X.L. Wang, E.J. Milewska, H. Wan, F. Yang, and V. Swail, 2012: A second generation of homogenized Canadian monthly surface air temperature for climate trend analysis, Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 117(D18), doi:10.1029/2012JD017859.
Vincent, L.A., M.M. Hartwell, and W.L. Wang, 2020: A third generation of homogenized temperature for trend analysis and monitoring changes in Canada’s climate. Atmosphere-Ocean, 58(3), 173-191, doi:10.1080/07055900.2020.1765728.