Climate Trends in Canada

Climate Trends

Improved Decisions through Climate Research, Consulting and Interpretation

These pages are designed to assist persons interested in obtaining access to climate trend information. PUBLICATIONS ON TRENDS

If you wish to obtain background information on climate trends in Canada, we would recommend two excellent reference documents that analyze the recent trends in climatic conditions in Canada.

The first is called "The State of Canada's Climate: Temperature Change in Canada 1895-1991". Published by Environment Canada in 1992 as part of the State of the Environment Report Series (92-2). The report clearly demonstrates that Canada as a whole has experienced a one (1) degree Celsius warming over the past century. Such warming is not uniform from region to region. The McKenzie Basin in the Yukon and Northwest Territories has warmed by nearly two (2) degrees Celsius, while the Atlantic Coast has remained unchanged over the same 100 year period. The report contains a number of charts showing departures on a decade to decade basis. The data base used to create this report has been subjected to extensive quality control and is likely the best data set for Canada.

The second report is called "The State of Canada's Climate: Monitoring Variability and Change" is also a State of the Environment Report (95-1). This report contains an analysis of precipitation, cloudiness and other climate parameters. Both documents should be available from Environment Canada.

ON-LINE INFORMATION ON RECENT TRENDS
The following two charts reprinted from the Climate Research Branch of the Meteorlogical Service of Canada show the annual trends in temperature and precipitation.
Up to date information on the departures of seasonal and annual temperature and precipitation from normal can be obtained from the Climate Research Branch of the Atmospheric Environment Service of Environment Canada. They provide charts of trend information as well as the departures from the thirty year normals for the most recent season and/or year.

Persons interested in obtaining information on the past few seasons can obtain this from the Climate Trends and Variation Bulletin.

DATA

Those persons wishing to obtain the original data on Canadian Climate conditions should contact the local office of Environment Canada or the Canadian Meteorological Centre in Montreal.

International Climate Trends

One of the most important documents for those people working in the field of climatology is The Climate Agenda. A framework for the coordination of all international climate related activities.

It is also making available access to some of the reports and material of the International organizations including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

ASSISTANCE

Should you encounter any problems in obtaining access to the above mentioned sources or wish for help in conducting your own studies please contact Rick Lee

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