The dataset contains the blended (gauge and satellite estimates) monthly mean precipitation rates (unit: mm/day) for Canada for the period from January 1979 to December 2007, at a half degree spatial resolution. Please refer to the paper below for the details of the blending algorithm and input gauge and satellite data. Reference: Lin, A. and X. L. Wang, 2011: An algorithm for Blending Multiple Satellite Precipitation Estimates with in-situ Precipitation Measurements in Canada. JGR-Atmospheres, 116, D21111, doi:10.1029/2011JD016359.

In 2015 as part of the Canadian Artic Weather Science (CAWS) project, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) established an enhanced monitoring reference site at Iqaluit, Nunavut (CYFB, 63°45N, 68°33W) in the eastern Canadian Arctic. The site was strategically selected at the loci of synoptic storm tracks and primary transportation corridors. CYFB is also a major aviation hub for the North. It is an operational upper air site with an existing office building and instrument test facility infrastructure with a co-located Double Fence International Reference for solid precipitation measurements. The site was to provide automated and continuous observations of altitude-resolved winds, clouds and aerosols, visibility, radiation fluxes, turbulence, and precipitation. The benefit of integrated measurement systems at the Iqaluit supersite are being investigated to: 1) Recommend the optimal cost-effective observing system for the Canadian Arctic that can complement existing radiosonde observations 2) Provide enhanced meteorological observations during the World Meteorological Organization’s Year of Polar Prediction (WMO YOPP). Instrumentation at Iqaluit includes a Ka-band radar, water vapour lidars (both in-house and commercial versions), multiple Doppler lidars, ceilometers, radiation flux and precipitation sensors, and others. Data collection for a subset of the instruments at Iqaluit began in March 2016.

The Whitehorse enhanced meteorological site is located at Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport (CYXY, 60°43N, 135°04W). This scientific observation site aims to provide a better understanding of the region’s weather conditions to help improve local weather forecasts across the Canadian Arctic and sub-Arctic. For instance, new radar technology is being tested at this site to assess its suitability for detecting and analyzing this region’s weather systems. A companion site in Iqaluit NU (CYFB, 63°45N, 68°33W), in the eastern Canadian Arctic, has also been established. It is important to note that Iqaluit is located above the tree line, while Whitehorse is below, resulting in a significantly more humid atmosphere at Whitehorse suggesting different weather monitoring requirements. The Whitehorse site includes an X-band radar, a Doppler lidar, ceilometers, radiation flux and precipitation sensors, and others. Data collection for a subset of instruments at Whitehorse began in January 2018.

The data consists of temperature indices based on homogenized daily maximum and minimum temperatures at 338 locations across Canada, and of precipitation indices based on adjusted daily rainfall, daily snowfall and daily precipitation amounts at 463 locations across the country. These indices were selected for their relevance to social and economic impact assessment in Canada and for the insights they could provide regarding changes in extreme climate conditions. Please refer to the papers below for detailed information regarding the adjustment procedures and the trends in the indices.

The Homogenized Surface Pressure data consist of monthly, seasonal and annual means of hourly sea level and station pressure (hectopascals) for 626 locations in Canada. Homogenized climate data incorporate adjustments (derived from statistical procedures) to the original station data to account for discontinuities from non-climatic factors, such as instrument changes or station relocation. The time periods of the data vary by location, with the oldest data available from 1953 at some stations to the most recent update in 2014. Data availability over most of the Canadian Arctic is restricted to 1953 to present. The data will continue to be updated every few years (as time permits).

This dataset contains blended (gauge and satellite estimates) pentad mean precipitation rates (unit: mm/day) at a one degree spatial resolution over Canada. The data can be used for hydrometeorological, agricultural, forestry modelling, for numerical weather model and climate model verification, and for climate impact studies.

During August 2013, September 2013, April 2018, May 2018, and June 2018, a research aircraft was deployed in the oil sands region. The flight paths of the aircraft were designed to measure air pollutants in plumes around the immediate vicinity of the major oil sands surface mining facilities (2013 & 2018) and in-situ mining facilities (2018 only), and downwind of these sources, at various heights above the ground. These flight paths enabled measurements of how concentrations of air pollutants change with elevation in the atmosphere as well as with distance from pollution sources. The aircraft was equipped with a comprehensive suite of instruments to measure gases, particles and meteorological conditions. It is not appropriate to directly compare these short-term data, measured by aircraft at various altitudes above the surface, with ambient air quality objectives for ground-level concentrations. The measurements were made to characterize and improve understanding of the chemical and physical processes that the oil sands pollutants undergo in the atmosphere. The measurements provide information to estimate the quantity and types of pollutants emitted from oil sands operations, to map out how far the pollutants are transported, and to understand how fast they are chemically converted to new forms of pollutants in the atmosphere. This information will be integrated into a comprehensive air quality model that will be used to predict current and future air pollutant levels and surface deposition amounts near to the oil sands and also far downwind. These environmental predictions help identify locations that may experience harmful effects today and/or in the future as the oil sands development expands and multiple pollutants accumulate in the environment. To use these data, they must be linked to the latitude, longitude and altitude information provided in the Flight State Parameters for the Airborne Measurements in the Oil Sands Region – 2013 and 2018 data sets. Flight State Parameters for the Airborne Measurements in the Oil Sands Region – 2013 and 2018 A number of different samples of atmospheric chemistry were collected in 2013 and 2018, along 52 flight paths, over parts of the oil sands region. This link provides the location and atmospheric conditions at the aircraft at the time of sample collection at 1-second time resolution. Combining the location and atmospheric conditions information with chemistry data (below) will help to document the transformation, transport and fate of substances emitted from oil sands development activities. Condensation Particle Number Concentration for the Airborne Measurements in the Oil Sands Region – 2013 and 2018 Particle number concentration measurements are organized by the time of sample collection so that they can be combined with Flight State Parameters for the Airborne Measurements in the Oil Sands Region – 2013 and 2018. The particle number concentration is the number of particles up to 2.5 µm in diameter in a volume of air. There are no environmental guidelines for this parameter. Particle number concentration data can be used with other datasets posted on the portal to quantify the emission, transformation, transport and deposition of substances emitted from oil sands activities. Volatile Organic Compounds from the Airborne Measurements in the Oil Sands Region – 2013 and 2018 Approximately 800 canisters were used to sample the airstream outside of the aircraft for ~20 seconds each (approximately 2 km in distance) during 22 flights flown between August 13 and September 7, 2013. Similarly, an additional 800 canisters were used during 30 flights flown between April 5th, and July 5th, 2018. Each canister sample was analyzed to determine the concentration of 100-154 different volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Many of these organic chemicals are important precursors to formation of ozone and secondary particulate matter. This VOC dataset can be used with other datasets posted on the portal to quantify the emission, transformation, transport and deposition of substances emitted from oil sands activities. The VOC data are organized by the time of sample collection so that they can be combined with the Flight State Parameters for the Airborne Measurements in the Oil Sands Region – 2013 and 2018.

The National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) program is the main source of ambient air quality data in Canada. The NAPS program, which began in 1969, is now comprised of nearly 260 stations in 150 rural and urban communities reporting to the Canada-Wide Air Quality Database (CWAQD). Managed by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in collaboration with provincial, territorial, and regional government networks, the NAPS program forms an integral component of various diverse initiatives; including the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators (CESI), and the US-Canada Air Quality Agreement. Once per year, typically autumn, the Continuous data set for the previous year is reported on ECCC Data Mart. Beginning in March of 2020 the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on NAPS Operations has resulted in reduced data availability for some sites and parameters. For additional information on NAPS data products contact the NAPS inquiry centre at RNSPA-NAPSINFO@ec.gc.ca Last updated March 2023.

In August 2013, NETCARE scientists conducted a campaign on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. The goal of this campaign was to characterize the nature of ice nuclei in a marine environment. Measurements were conducted on the ambient levels of both deposition and immersion ice nucleating particles. Data was also collected to measure the physical and chemical properties of the ambient particles. Site Information: Amphitrite Point (48.92N, 125.54W) is located approximately 2 km from the small town of Ucluelet on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. The research site was located approximately 100 m from the Pacific Ocean. Institutions Involved: ● Environment and Climate Change Canada ● University of Toronto ● University of British Columbia ● University of Denver ● Fisheries and Oceans Canada Data sets: ● Atmospheric aerosol particle size and number density ● Atmospheric aerosol particle hygroscopicity ● Numbers of ice cloud forming particles ● Aerosol particle ion concentration as a function of particle size

This dataset contains 21 statistics (including extreme indices) of wind and waves calculated from hourly reanalysis data of historical surface winds and ocean surface waves for the Davis Strait Baffin Bay waters for the period 1979-2018 (each statistic has an annual and 12 monthly values). These data can be used for the characterization of marine surface wind and wave climate conditions, trends and variability for the Davis Strait Baffin Bay waters, for use of coastal and offshore operations/risk management (e.g., shipping). These data can be used for characterization of marine surface wind and wave climate conditions, trends and variability for the Davis Strait Baffin Bay waters, for use of coastal and offshore operations/risk management (e.g., shipping). The hourly wind and waves data may be obtained upon request from the Meteorological Service of Canada's Climate Services.