An%20overview%20of%20the%20status%20of%20climate%20monitoring%20in%20Canada%20presented%20by%20Xiaolan%20L.%20Wang%20Climate%20Research%20Division,%20Science%20and%20Technology%20Branch

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An overview of the status of climate monitoring
in Canadapresented by Xiaolan L. WangClimate
Research Division, Science and Technology Branch

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Climate monitoring networks

• 1. RCS Reference Climate Stations network
• 2. SWX Surface Weather Network

3. TP Volunteer Climate (Temp. Precip.)
network 4. Partner stations Avation, DND,
ArgCan, ParksCan, MSC, Buoys
5. RADAR Doppler Radar network MSC (30) DND
(2) 6. Moored and Drifting Buoys 7. UA Upper
Air Radiosonde network
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Purpose of RCS network

• Benchmark stations
• Documenting/understanding climate change and
  variability.
• Need a long period of uninterrupted quality obs
• Obs period 30 years
• Data are also used for other purposes
• (e.g., Building Code, Insurance
  Industry, etc.)
• Includes all 90 Canadian GSN stations

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GCOS Surface Network (GSN) in Canada (90 stations)
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RCS network composition (historical)

• 304 stations
• - 23 Human (daily climatological)
• - 110 old automatic (datalogger based)
• - 35 Aviation AWOS
• - 78 Aviation human obs
• 25 CON, 39 FSS, 14 CARS
• - 17 DND
• - 41 Others (new GSN, ...)

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Purpose of SWX network

• Produce real-time hourly obs to support
• MSCs NWP models
• Public, Marine, and Aviation Forecasts
• Weather warnings, watches and advisories
• Environmental emergencies
• Forecast verifications other performance
  measurements
• Direct, real-time, dissemination to other clients
  (i.e. other government agencies, media, tourism,
  transportation, etc.)
• Also archived as climate observations

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SWX network composition

• 300/330 stations Partners
• - 356 Non-Aviation
• (Datalogger based auto-stns)
• - 132 Aviation
• - 113 Human obs
• - 19 AWOS
• - 29 DND
• - Other partners stns

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RCS SWX network composition
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Standard Configurations

• Modernized RCS and SWX
• Datalogger
• Temperature
• Humidity sensor
• Pressure sensor
• Snow depth (on ground) sensor
• Wind 2 (10m and 2m)
• All Weather Precipitation Gauge (GEONOR)
• Where appropriate Rate-of-rainfall
• 50 sites Solar Radiation RF1

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Integration of AWOS and RCS
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Integration - SWX-RCS duality

• Merged RCS and Surface Weather
• Appearance of a single network for users
• Same configuration for modernized stations
• Same observations
• However still two distinct purposes
• Surface weather è Forecast
• Location near population important
• Stations may be moved as needed
• RCS è Climate change detection
• Long period of uninterrupted quality observations
• Long stability required (avoid changes)
• Pristine Environment (Away from population)
• Except a few urban climate reference stations.
• thus managed as 2 distinct networks
• However RCS can contribute as primary in PFR/MFR

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Rehabilitation timelines for RCSSWX

• Dark-Age decade (1990s)
• no national standards (sub-regional habits)
• Network maintained as could be
• Some equipment rusting out
• Quality of observations not maintained at all
  stations
• Metadata inconsistent and incomplete

• Renaissance 2000-2010
• Modernizing Equipment
• Improving Algorithms (precipitation, snowfall,
  triple configuration)
• Completing configuration (Standard for RCS/SWX)
• Re-developing standards and procedures
• Maintenance standards for RCS/SWX automatic
  stations (draft)
• RCS commissioning standards (draft)
• Classifying old configurations (Metadata
  information)
• 1 Full configuration (modernized), meet all
  standards
• 2 Almost full configuration. Some (very few)
  valid exceptions.
• 3 TP (2 obs/day) program Volunteer - meet
  all those standards
• 4 Compromised - siting/exposure or program

• Overlap period (Ultra Important reality where
  possible)
• Siting
• Re-Siting (new GSN compromised old RCS,
  aviation)
• Siting and Implementation standard (Development
  in progress)

• Modern Age 2010-2020
• RCSSWX modernization mostly completed
• Networks fully documented (procedures and
  metadata)
• Calibration standards re-introduced

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Cooperative Climate (TP) network Fall 2004
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Target TP Network 750 electronic reporting
sites

• Electronic data entry only
• Paper based obs to be
• phased out by FY 2008/09
• reduction limited in
• high density area only
• Better distribution

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Electronic reporting TP network as of May 25,
2005
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Stations of long term precipitation data
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Snow Observations

• Severe reduction of snow observations
• Mostly because of automation
• Also partners
• Also NavCan (FSS) new priorities (not snow)
• DND (Deployment of personnel)

• New Snowfall derivation algorithm
• Based on Triple SR-50 configuration
• Multi-parameter based
• need Precipitation gauge (GEONOR)
• Avoids most pitfalls
• No large snowfall missed
• No large false snowfall under blue sky
• Still cannot avoid some small false reporting due
  to snowdrifts
• But it eliminates a lot of these false reporting
• Will always miss slow snowfall on warm soil
• Snow melts before it can be detected (e.g. First
  snow in Fall)

• Special snow observing contracts

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(ca. 450)
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QPE archived since Feb. 2005 Volume Scan 1985
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(6)
(4)
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40 moored 6 drifting buoys
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Proposed Optimum Surface Network

• 300 Reference Climate Stations (RCS)
• Pristine environment
• Long term stability

• 500 Surface Weather Stations (SWX)
• To reflect conditions experienced in population
  centres

• ? Meso-scale networks near major centres
• To provide measure of meso-climate and meso-scale
  weather phenomena
• Linked to Weather Radar
• (calibrate precipitation from radar)

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Proposed Optimum Surface Network
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Proposed Mesonet Stations
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Current situation

• Never enough data
• Lots of data
• Many groups observe
• Challenges
• Data not accessible
• Different standards
• Paper records
• Demand for real time
• Intellectual property

• Data types are changing
• Networks are evolving
• Data volume is exploding

• Integration and post-measurement processing
  (QA/QC, bias correction, and homogenization)
  crucial for climate change studies and climate
  monitoring!

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Climate Trends and Variations Bulletin (CTVB)
(http//www.msc-smc.ec.gc.ca/ccrm/bulletin/)
Spring (March-May) 2006 warmest!
CTVB places mean temperature and total
precipitation, for the most recent season or
year, in a spatial and historical context -
national summary - regional summary
    Extreme years Extreme years Extreme years Extreme years Spring 2006 Spring 2006
Region Trend(C) Coldest Dep. C Warmest Dep. C Rank Dep. C

Atlantic Canada 0.6 1967 -2.7 1999 2.9 2 2.2
Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Lowlands 0.9 1956 -2.2 1998 2.8 7 1.8
Northeastern Forest 1.3 1956 -2.5 2006 3.4 1 3.4
Northwestern Forest 2.3 2002 -4.2 1998 3.5 4 2.9
Prairies 2.4 2002 -4.0 1977 3.7 13 2.2
South British Columbia Mountains 1.8 1955 -2.9 1992 2.6 19 1.1
Pacific Coast 1.5 1955 -1.7 2005 2.2 31 0.3
North British Columbia Mountains/Yukon 2.5 1964 -3.1 2005 4.2 39 -0.2
Mackenzie District 2.5 1964 -4.1 1998 6.1 4 3.5
Arctic Tundra 1.3 1964 -2.7 2006 4.2 1 4.2
Arctic Mountains and Fiords 0.7 1987 -2.8 1953 3.5 2 3.2
Canada 1.6 1974 -1.8 2006 3.0 1 3.0
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Climate Trends and Variations Bulletin
Summer (Jun-Aug) 2006 2nd warmest summer since
1948 when nationwide records began
    Extreme years Extreme years Extreme years Extreme years Summer 2006 Summer 2006
Region Trend(C) Coldest Dep. C Warmest Dep. C Rank Dep. C

Atlantic Canada 0.9 1962 -1.4 1999 1.6 3 1.4
Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Lowlands 0.5 1992 -1.8 2005 2.2 13 1.0
Northeastern Forest 0.8 1992 -1.9 1955 2.0 5 1.3
Northwestern Forest 0.7 1968 -1.4 1961 2.0 4 1.5
Prairies 0.2 1993 -1.9 1961 2.6 6 1.3
South British Columbia Mountains 1.1 1954 -1.6 1958 2.4 7 1.4
Pacific Coast 1.0 1976 -1.1 1958 2.3 11 1.0
North British Columbia Mountains/Yukon 1.1 1949 -1.1 2004 2.7 26 0.2
Mackenzie District 1.0 1959 -2.2 1998 2.5 4 1.7
Arctic Tundra 1.0 1978 -1.9 1998 2.6 2 1.8
Arctic Mountains and Fiords 0.7 1972 -1.6 1998 1.9 14 0.9
Canada 0.9 1968 -0.8 1998 1.7 2 1.4
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Climate extremes monitoring

• Climate Summaries available at
• http//www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/prods_se
  rvs/cdn_climate_summary_e.html
• - Monthly extremes and averages of Temp.
  and Precip. amount
• - Degree days above/below 18ºC
• - Snow on the Ground at the end of the
  month
• - Bright sunshine hours

• Climate Data Almanacs
• http//www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climateD
  ata/canada_e.html
• (select Almanac in the interval box)

Toronto Pearson Intl A Averages and Extremes for September 12 Toronto Pearson Intl A Averages and Extremes for September 12 Toronto Pearson Intl A Averages and Extremes for September 12
Average Maximum Temperature 21.8 C  
Average Minimum Temperature 10.3 C  
Frequency of Precipitation 36  
Highest Temperature (1938-2005) 34.4 C 1952
Lowest Temperature (1938-2005) 1.7 C 1943
Greatest Precipitation (1938-2005) 23.1 mm 1963
Greatest Rainfall (1938-2005) 23.1 mm 1963
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Climate extremes monitoring (contd)

• Customized graphs of daily extremes available at
• http//www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climateD
  ata/canada_e.html
• (select daily in the interval box, then click on
  a station, then select customizable chart in the
  navigation box at the bottom right of the daily
  page)

Toronto Pearson Intl A
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New Extreme Monthly Temperature Record For June
2006
Climate extremes monitoring (contd)

• Canadian Atlantic Region Monthly Climate and
  Storm Summaries available at
• http//atlantic-web1.ns.ec.gc.ca/climatecentre/def
  ault.asp?langenn30733EE3
• New Extreme Monthly Temperature Record for
  June (set in June 2006)
• New Extreme Daily Precipitation Records for
  June (set in June 2006)
• New Extereme Monthly Total Precipitation
  Records for June (set in June 2006)

Station Record Type New Record Date Previous Record Year of Previous Record
Englee NL High Monthly Max 27.0 29 25.8 2000
Station Record Type New Record Date Previous Record Year of Previous Record
Summerside PEI High Daily Total Precip 68.4 mm 4 57.9 mm 1968
Buctouche NB High Daily Total Precip 67.5 mm 4 67.2 mm 1985
Station Record Type New Record Previous Record Year of Previous Record
HarringtonPEI High Monthly Total Precip 291.4 mm 207.1 mm 1998
YarmouthNS High Monthly Total Precip 263.4 mm 245.9 mm 1959
ParrsboroNS High Monthly Total Precip 221.7 mm 220.6 mm 1985
Nappan NS High Monthly Total Precip 215.4 mm 180.1 mm 1968
KejimkujikNS High Monthly Total Precip 336.6 mm 233.4 mm 1959
GreenwoodNS High Monthly Total Precip 217.4 mm 199.9 mm 1945
Brier Island NS High Monthly Total Precip 211.1 mm 167.9 mm 1968
Grand Manan NB High Monthly Total Precip 275.6 mm 211.1 mm 1910
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Climate extremes/drought monitoring (contd)

• Quebec Region Climate Monitoring website
• http//www.criacc.qc.ca/climat/suivi/200608_e.html
  
• Daily/monthly/seasonal/annual climate
  summaries, extreme events, e.g., Aug. 2006 at
• Historical extreme maximum temperatures
  in Quebec

Québec Airport (1943) Observed Average (71-00) Rank
Mean temperature (C) 17.3 17.9 21st coolest out of 64 years
Total precipitation (mm) 90.4 116.7 24th driest out of 64 years
Sunshine (hours) since 1951 276.2 225.2 7th sunniest out of 55 years
City  Record (C)  Date
Témiscamingue 40.0 July 6, 1921
Ville-Marie 40.0 July 6, 1921
Val-d'Or 36.1 July 12, 2005
Montréal 37.6 August 1, 1975
Sherbrooke 34.0 September 9, 2002
Québec 35.6 July 30, 1959
Bagotville 38.4 July 2, 2002
Mont-Joli 35.9 July 4, 1983
Gaspé 36.0 June 27, 2003

• North American Drought Monitoring Basically
  ArgCans task, EC provides data

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Acknowledgements. Many thanks to MSC Surface
Monitoring Networks manager Yves Durocher for
kindly providing most of the materials in this
presentation.
- The End -Thank you very much!
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DND and Aviation Stations
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Importance of Parameters

• RCS
• Temperature
• Precipitation (total)
• Wind (2m)
• Snow
• Rate of Rainfall
• Wind (10m)
• Humidity
• Solar Radiation (50 stns)
• Pressure

• SWX (NWP Forecaster)
• Pressure
• Temperature
• Wind (10m)
• Humidity
• Clouds
• Weather
• Visibility
• Icing
• Precipitation type
• Precipitation Amount
• Wind (2m)
• Snow
• Rate of Rainfall

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Observations

• BUFR reports every hour
• Temperature (instantaneous, min,max)
• (3 transducers) Official value (RCS only)
• Humidity (instantaneous)
• Pressure (instantaneous, tendency, char)
• Wind 10m (Speed, direction, characteristic)
• Total Precipitation (every 15 minutes)
• (Geonor 3 transducers) Official value
• Wind 2m (every 15 minutes) (Speed, direction)
• Snowdepth (every 15 minutes)
• Snowfall (derivation algorithm under development)
• Rate of Rainfall (every minute)
• Solar Radiation (every minute)
• ( diagnostics)

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Observations

• Synoptic
• Temperature (instantaneous, min,max)
• Humidity
• Pressure (MSL)
• Pressure (Station)
• Wind (direction, speed, characteristic)
• 6 hr Precipitation
• 24 hr Precipitation
• Snowdepth
• Wind Extreme
• 24 hr Snowfall
• Snowfall water equivalent

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Proposed Optimum Network

• Configuration
• Current Standard New sensors
• Temperature Soil Temperature
• Humidity Solar Radiation (RF1)
• Pressure Weather
• Wind (2m 10m) Soil Moisture
• Precipitation Camera (RVAS) ????
• Snowdepth
• Rate of Rainfall