Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are climate normals important?
Climate Normals and Averages are used to summarize or describe the average climatic conditions of a particular location. "Climate averages", "Climate means" or "Climate normals" are all interchangeable terms. They refer to arithmetic calculations based on observed climate values for a given location over a specified time period. Climate normals are often used to classify a region's climate and make decisions for a wide variety of purposes involving basic habitability, agriculture and natural vegetation, energy use, transportation, tourism, and research in many environmental fields. Normals are also used as a reference for seasonal monitoring of climate temperature and precipitation for basic public interest, and for monitoring drought or forest fires risk. Climate normals are frequently used for climate change adaptation planning.
2. What is the publication plan for the 1991-2020 Canadian normals?
The production of the 1991-2020 climate normals is currently underway. They will be published in five phases for approximately 450 locations, with targeted completion in summer 2024.
- Phase 1 – 89 locations, 87 elements
- Phase 2 – addition of 55 elements for Phase 1 locations
- Phase 3 – 100-150 locations nationally, all elements
- Phase 4 – 100-150 locations nationally, all elements
- Phase 5 – 100-150 locations nationally, all elements
Consult Annex 1 for the list of locations, Annex 2 for the list of elements.
3. My location is not listed, will you be publishing additional locations?
At this time, there are no plans to generate the normals for additional locations.
4. What is different about the production of the 1991-2020 Canadian normals compared to previous sets of Canadian normals?
In previous editions, the climate normals were calculated using data from a single station, whereas this set of normals uses composite stations with at least 15 years of data between 1991 and 2020. Composite stations are comprised of one or more stations operated by the Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC) or its partners, where data from individual stations are joined together to create a 30-year data series for a given location. This is also the first set that uses automated station data. Previously, only staffed reporting station data was used.
5. I have technical questions about the Normals, who do I contact?
For questions about the normals, you can contact us via the feedback page or by writing to the regional climate services office corresponding to your region of interest.
| Region | |
|---|---|
| Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Labrador | climatatlantique-climateatlantic@ec.gc.ca |
| Quebec, Ontario | climatcentre-climatecentral@ec.gc.ca |
| British Columbia, Yukon, Prairies, Northwest Territories, Nunavut | climatouest-climatewest@ec.gc.ca |
6. I have questions about climate change, who do I contact?
For questions on using climate normals to help understand climate change, please complete this web form or contact ccsc-cccs@ec.gc.ca
ANNEX 1
Phases 1 & 2 Locations List
| Province or Territory | Location |
|---|---|
| Alberta | BANFF |
| COLD LAKE | |
| CORONATION | |
| EDMONTON (AIRPORT) | |
| FORT MCMURRAY | |
| HIGH LEVEL | |
| MEDICINE HAT | |
| SLAVE LAKE | |
| British Columbia | DEASE LAKE |
| ESTEVAN POINT | |
| FORT NELSON | |
| KAMLOOPS | |
| PORT HARDY | |
| QUESNEL | |
| SANDSPIT | |
| SQUAMISH | |
| TATLAYOKO LAKE | |
| VICTORIA (UNIVERSITY) | |
| WARFIELD | |
| Manitoba | CHURCHILL |
| DAUPHIN | |
| LYNN LAKE | |
| THE PAS | |
| THOMPSON | |
| New Brunswick | CHARLO |
| EDMUNDSTON | |
| MIRAMICHI | |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | CARTWRIGHT |
| GANDER | |
| GOOSE | |
| NAIN | |
| Northwest Territories | FORT SIMPSON |
| FORT SMITH | |
| HAY RIVER | |
| INUVIK | |
| NORMAN WELLS | |
| PAULATUK | |
| SACHS HARBOUR | |
| ULUKHAKTOK/HOLMAN | |
| Nova Scotia | DEBERT |
| NAPPAN | |
| PARRSBORO | |
| SYDNEY | |
| YARMOUTH | |
| Nunavut | ALERT |
| ARVIAT | |
| BAKER LAKE | |
| CAMBRIDGE BAY | |
| KINNGAIT/CAPE DORSET | |
| EUREKA | |
| GJOA HAVEN | |
| SANIRAJAK/HALL BEACH | |
| IQALUIT | |
| KUGAARUK | |
| KUGLUKTUK | |
| POND INLET | |
| RESOLUTE BAY | |
| Ontario | ATIKOKAN |
| DELHI | |
| EGBERT | |
| GERALDTON | |
| HARROW | |
| KAPUSKASING | |
| LONDON | |
| OTTAWA (AIRPORT) | |
| RIDGETOWN | |
| SIOUX LOOKOUT | |
| TORONTO (CITY) | |
| Quebec | BAGOTVILLE |
| FORET MONTMORENCY | |
| ILES DE LA MADELEINE | |
| KUUJJUAQ | |
| LA GRANDE RIVIERE | |
| LA POCATIERE | |
| MANIWAKI | |
| NATASHQUAN | |
| PARENT | |
| SEPT-ILES | |
| Saskatchewan | BUFFALO NARROWS |
| ESTEVAN | |
| HUDSON BAY | |
| ISLAND FALLS | |
| LA RONGE | |
| NORTH BATTLEFORD | |
| PRINCE ALBERT | |
| SWIFT CURRENT | |
| Yukon | DAWSON |
| OLD CROW | |
| WATSON LAKE | |
| WHITEHORSE |
Phases 3-5 Locations List
| Province or Territory | Location |
|---|---|
| Alberta | BRETON |
| BROOKS | |
| CALGARY (AIRPORT) | |
| CAMPSIE | |
| CAMROSE | |
| CARWAY | |
| CLARESHOLM | |
| DRUMHELLER EAST | |
| EDMONTON (CITY) | |
| EDSON | |
| ESTHER 1 | |
| FABYAN | |
| FORESTBURG PLANT SITE | |
| FORT CHIPEWYAN | |
| FORT SASKATCHEWAN | |
| GARDEN RIVER | |
| GRANDE PRAIRIE | |
| JASPER | |
| LAC LA BICHE | |
| LETHBRIDGE | |
| LLOYDMINSTER | |
| MILK RIVER | |
| NORDEGG | |
| ONEFOUR | |
| PEACE RIVER | |
| PINCHER CREEK | |
| QUEENSTOWN | |
| RED DEER | |
| RED EARTH | |
| SUNDRE | |
| VAUXHALL | |
| VEGREVILLE | |
| WHITECOURT | |
| British Columbia | ABBOTSFORD |
| ADDENBROKE ISLAND | |
| AGASSIZ | |
| ATLIN | |
| BELLA COOLA | |
| BLUE RIVER | |
| BOAT BLUFF | |
| BONILLA ISLAND | |
| BURNS LAKE DECKER LAKE | |
| CAMPBELL RIVER | |
| CAPE BEALE LIGHT | |
| CLINTON | |
| COMOX | |
| CRANBROOK | |
| CRESTON | |
| DAWSON CREEK | |
| DRYAD POINT | |
| FORT ST. JOHN | |
| GOLDEN | |
| HOLLAND ROCK | |
| KELOWNA | |
| LANGARA ISLAND | |
| LYTTON | |
| MACKENZIE | |
| NAKUSP | |
| NELSON | |
| OSOYOOS | |
| PEMBERTON | |
| PENTICTON | |
| PITT MEADOWS | |
| PLEASANT CAMP | |
| PRINCE GEORGE | |
| PRINCETON | |
| REVELSTOKE | |
| SALMON ARM | |
| SATURNA CAPMON | |
| SMITHERS | |
| SPARWOOD | |
| STEWART | |
| TERRACE | |
| VANCOUVER (HARBOUR) | |
| VANCOUVER (AIRPORT) | |
| VICTORIA (CITY) | |
| VICTORIA (AIRPORT) | |
| WILLIAMS LAKE | |
| Manitoba | BERENS RIVER |
| BRANDON | |
| CYPRESS RIVER | |
| ELKHORN 2 EAST | |
| EMERSON | |
| FLIN FLON | |
| GILLAM | |
| GIMLI | |
| GRAND RAPIDS HYDRO | |
| HODGSON 2/3 | |
| INDIAN BAY | |
| ISLAND LAKE | |
| MAFEKING | |
| MELITA | |
| MORDEN | |
| NORWAY HOUSE | |
| PINAWA | |
| PORTAGE SOUTHPORT | |
| ROBLIN | |
| WINNIPEG (AIRPORT) | |
| New Brunswick | ALMA/FUNDY PARK |
| AROOSTOOK | |
| BAS CARAQUET | |
| BATHURST | |
| BOUCTOUCHE | |
| DOAKTOWN | |
| FREDERICTON (AIRPORT) | |
| GRAND MANAN | |
| KOUCHIBOUGUAC | |
| MISCOU ISLAND | |
| MONCTON | |
| POINT LEPREAU | |
| SAINT JOHN (AIRPORT) | |
| ST. LEONARD | |
| ST. STEPHEN | |
| SUSSEX/FOUR CORNERS | |
| UPSALQUITCH LAKE | |
| WOODSTOCK/NEWBRIDGE | |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | DUNVILLE/ARGENTIA |
| BADGER | |
| BAY D'ESPOIR GEN STN | |
| BONAVISTA | |
| BURGEO | |
| CAPE RACE | |
| CHURCHILL FALLS | |
| CORNER BROOK | |
| DANIELS HARBOUR | |
| DEER LAKE | |
| ENGLEE | |
| FEROLLE POINT | |
| HARBOUR BRETON | |
| HOPEDALE | |
| LA SCIE | |
| LETHBRIDGE | |
| MARY'S HARBOUR | |
| MIDDLE ARM | |
| PORT AUX BASQUES | |
| SAGLEK | |
| SOPS ARM WHITE BAY | |
| ST. ANTHONY | |
| ST JOHN'S (AIRPORT) | |
| ST JOHN'S (WEST) | |
| ST LAWRENCE | |
| STEPHENVILLE | |
| TWILLINGATE | |
| WABUSH | |
| WHITBOURNE | |
| Northwest Territories | AKLAVIK |
| CAPE PARRY | |
| COLVILLE LAKE | |
| DELINE | |
| FORT GOOD HOPE | |
| FORT LIARD | |
| FORT MCPHERSON | |
| FORT PROVIDENCE | |
| FORT RELIANCE | |
| LIVERPOOL BAY | |
| MOULD BAY | |
| PELLY ISLAND | |
| TUKTOYAKTUK | |
| WHATI | |
| WRIGLEY | |
| YELLOWKNIFE (AIRPORT) | |
| Nova Scotia | BEAVER ISLAND |
| BRIDGEWATER | |
| BRIER ISLAND | |
| CARIBOU POINT | |
| CHETICAMP | |
| COLLEGEVILLE | |
| GRAND ETANG | |
| GREENWOOD | |
| HALIFAX (AIRPORT) | |
| HART ISLAND | |
| INGONISH BEACH | |
| KEJIMKUJIK | |
| NORTH MOUNTAIN | |
| PORT HAWKESBURY | |
| SABLE ISLAND | |
| SHEARWATER | |
| ST PAUL ISLAND | |
| TATAMAGOUCHE | |
| UPPER STEWIACKE | |
| WATERVILLE CAMBRIDGE | |
| WESTERN HEAD | |
| Nunavut | ALERT |
| BREVOORT ISLAND | |
| BROUGHTON ISLAND | |
| CLYDE RIVER | |
| CORAL HARBOUR | |
| CROKER RIVER | |
| DEWAR LAKES | |
| GRISE FIORD | |
| HAT ISLAND | |
| IGLOOLIK | |
| LUPIN | |
| NAUJAAT/REPULSE BAY | |
| PANGNIRTUNG | |
| QIKIQTARJUAQ | |
| RANKIN INLET | |
| SHEPHERD BAY | |
| TALOYOAK | |
| WHALE COVE | |
| Ontario | ARMSTRONG |
| BANCROFT | |
| BIG TROUT LAKE | |
| BROCKVILLE | |
| BURLINGTON PIERS | |
| CENTREVILLE | |
| CHAPLEAU | |
| COBOURG | |
| COLLINGWOOD | |
| CORNWALL | |
| DRUMMOND CENTRE | |
| EARLTON | |
| ELORA | |
| ERIEAU | |
| FORT ERIE | |
| FORT FRANCES | |
| GODERICH/SALTFORD | |
| GORE BAY | |
| HALIBURTON 3 | |
| HAMILTON | |
| KEMPTVILLE | |
| KENORA | |
| KILLARNEY | |
| KINGSTON | |
| KINGSVILLE | |
| KIRKLAND LAKE | |
| LAGOON CITY | |
| LANSDOWNE HOUSE | |
| MOOSONEE | |
| MOUNT FOREST | |
| MUSKOKA | |
| NEW GLASGOW | |
| NORTH BAY | |
| OSHAWA | |
| OTTAWA (CITY) | |
| PEAWANUCK | |
| PETAWAWA | |
| PETERBOROUGH | |
| PICKLE LAKE | |
| POINT PETRE | |
| RED LAKE | |
| SARNIA | |
| SAULT STE MARIE | |
| STRATHROY-MULLIFARRY | |
| SUDBURY | |
| THUNDER BAY | |
| TIMMINS/VICTOR POWER | |
| TORONTO BUTTONVILLE (AIRPORT) | |
| TORONTO (ISLAND) | |
| TORONTO PEARSON (AIRPORT) | |
| TRENTON | |
| UDORA | |
| VINELAND | |
| KITCHENER/WATERLOO | |
| WAWA | |
| WELLAND-PELHAM | |
| WIARTON | |
| WINDSOR | |
| WINDSOR RIVERSIDE | |
| Prince Edward Island | ALLISTON |
| CHARLOTTETOWN (AIRPORT) | |
| EAST POINT | |
| ELMWOOD | |
| NEW GLASGOW | |
| NORTH CAPE | |
| MONTICELLO/ST.PETERS | |
| SUMMERSIDE | |
| Quebec | ANGERS |
| ARTHABASKA | |
| BAIE-COMEAU | |
| BARRAGE TEMISCAMINGUE | |
| BEAUSEJOUR | |
| BONNARD | |
| CAP-CHAT | |
| CAP-MADELEINE | |
| CAP-TOURMENTE | |
| CAUSAPSCAL | |
| CHAPAIS | |
| CHARTERIS | |
| COATICOOK | |
| DRUMMONDVILLE | |
| FLEURY | |
| FORTIERVILLE | |
| FRELIGHSBURG | |
| GASPE | |
| GRANBY | |
| GRANDES-BERGERONNES | |
| INUKJUAK | |
| KUUJJUARAPIK | |
| L'ACADIE | |
| L'ASSOMPTION | |
| LA GRANDE 4 | |
| LA TUQUE | |
| LAC EON | |
| LACHUTE | |
| LAUZON | |
| LENNOXVILLE | |
| LONGUE-POINTE-DE-MINGAN | |
| LOURDES DE BLANC SABLON | |
| LUSKVILLE | |
| MATAGAMI | |
| MONT-JOLI | |
| MONTREAL (AIRPORT) | |
| NEW CARLISLE | |
| NICOLET | |
| NORMANDIN | |
| QUEBEC CITY (AIRPORT) | |
| RICHMOND | |
| RIMOUSKI | |
| RIVIERE-DU-LOUP/ST-ANTONIN | |
| ROBERVAL | |
| ROUYN | |
| SAINT MICHEL | |
| SCHEFFERVILLE | |
| SCOTT | |
| SHERBROOKE | |
| ST-ANICET | |
| ST CAMILLE | |
| ST GEORGES | |
| ST LUDGER | |
| STE-FOY | |
| STE LUCIE | |
| ST-JOVITE | |
| SUTTON | |
| THETFORD MINES | |
| TROIS-RIVIERES | |
| VAL-D'OR | |
| Saskatchewan | ASSINIBOIA |
| CORONACH | |
| KELLIHER | |
| KEY LAKE | |
| KINDERSLEY | |
| KIPLING | |
| LEADER | |
| MAPLE CREEK | |
| MEADOW LAKE | |
| MELFORT | |
| MOOSE JAW | |
| NIPAWIN | |
| REGINA (AIRPORT) | |
| ROCK POINT | |
| ROSETOWN | |
| SASKATOON (AIRPORT) | |
| STONY RAPIDS | |
| WATROUS | |
| YORKTON | |
| Yukon | BURWASH |
| CARMACKS | |
| FARO | |
| HAINES JUNCTION | |
| HOUR LAKE | |
| IVVAVIK NAT. PARK | |
| KOMAKUK BEACH | |
| MACMILLAN PASS | |
| MAYO | |
| MAYO ROAD | |
| MCQUESTEN | |
| OTTER FALLS | |
| PELLY RANCH/FORT SELKIRK | |
| ROCK RIVER | |
| SHINGLE POINT | |
| TAKHINI RIVER RANCH | |
| TESLIN |
ANNEX 2
| ELEMENT NAME (extremes are bolded) |
Phase | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2-5 | |
| Daily Average (°C) | Yes | Yes |
| Standard Deviation | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Maximum (°C) | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Minimum (°C) | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum Daily Mean (°C) (NPE, LTE) | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum Daily Mean (°C) (NPE, LTE) | Yes | Yes |
| Extreme Maximum (°C) (NPE, LTE) | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum Daily Maximum (°C) (NPE, LTE) | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum Daily Minimum (°C) (NPE, LTE) | Yes | Yes |
| Extreme Minimum (°C) (NPE, LTE) | Yes | Yes |
| Rainfall (mm) | No | Yes |
| Snowfall (cm) | No | Yes |
| Precipitation (mm) | Yes | Yes |
| Average Snow Depth (cm) | No | Yes |
| Median Snow Depth (cm) | No | Yes |
| Snow Depth at Month-end (cm) | No | Yes |
| Extreme Daily Rainfall (mm) (NPE, LTE) | No | Yes |
| Extreme Daily Snowfall (cm) (NPE, LTE) | No | Yes |
| Extreme Daily Precipitation (mm) (NPE, LTE) | Yes | Yes |
| Extreme Snow Depth (cm) (NPE, LTE) | No | Yes |
| Days with Freezing Rain/Drizzle | Yes | Yes |
| Days with Thunderstorms | Yes | Yes |
| Days with Hail | Yes | Yes |
| Days with Fog/Ice Fog | Yes | Yes |
| Days with Smoke/Haze | Yes | Yes |
| Days with Max Temperature <= -10, -20, -30°C | No | Yes |
| Days with Max Temperature <= 0°C | Yes | Yes |
| Days with Max Temperature > 0, 10, 20, 30, 35°C | Yes | Yes |
| Days with Max Temperature > 40°C | No | Yes |
| Days with Min Temperature > 10, 20°C | No | Yes |
| Days with Min Temperature > 0°C | Yes | Yes |
| Days with Min Temperature <= 0, 2°C | Yes | Yes |
| Days with Min Temperature < -2, -10, -20, -30°C | Yes | Yes |
| Days with Min Temperature < -40°C | No | Yes |
| Days with Rainfall >= 0.2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100mm | No | Yes |
| Days with Snowfall >= 0.2, 5, 10, 25, 40cm | No | Yes |
| Days with Precipitation >= 0.2, 5, 10, 25mm | Yes | Yes |
| Days with Precipitation >= 1, 50, 100mm | No | Yes |
| Days with Snow Depth >= 1, 5, 10, 20, 30, 50, 100cm | No | Yes |
| Wind Speed (km/h) | Yes | Yes |
| Most Frequent Direction | Yes | Yes |
| Extreme Hourly Speed (km/h) (NPE, LTE) | Yes | Yes |
| Direction of Extreme Hourly Speed (NPE, LTE) | Yes | Yes |
| Extreme Gust Speed (km/h) (NPE, LTE) | Yes | Yes |
| Direction of Extreme Gust (NPE, LTE) | Yes | Yes |
| Days with Wind Speed >= 52, 63km/h | No | Yes |
| Days with Wind Gust >= 90km/h | No | Yes |
| Degree Days Above 0, 5, 10, 15, 18, 24°C | Yes | Yes |
| Degree Days Below 0, 5, 10, 15, 18°C | Yes | Yes |
| Quintile 1 (Lower Bound) | Yes | Yes |
| Quintile 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (Upper Bound) | Yes | Yes |
| Days with Humidex >= 30, 35, 40 | No | Yes |
| Extreme Humidex (NPE, LTE) | No | Yes |
| Days with Wind Chill < -20, -30, -40, -50 | No | Yes |
| Extreme Wind Chill (NPE, LTE) | No | Yes |
| Average Vapour Pressure (kPa) | Yes | Yes |
| Average Relative Humidity - 0600LST, 1500LST (%) | No | Yes |
| Average Station Pressure (kPa) | Yes | Yes |
| Average Sea Level Pressure (kPa) | Yes | Yes |
| Visibility (hours with) <1km, 1-9km, >9km | Yes | Yes |
| Cloud Amount (hours with) 0-2 tenths, 3-7 tenths, 8-10 tenths | No | Yes |
| Average Date of Last Spring Frost | Yes | Yes |
| Average Date of First Fall Frost | Yes | Yes |
| Average Length of Frost-Free Period | Yes | Yes |
| Probability of first temperature in fall <= 0°C, on or before (Date) (10, 25, 33, 50, 66, 75, 90%) | Yes | Yes |
| Probability of last temperature in spring <= 0°C, on or after (Date) (10, 25, 33, 50, 66, 75, 90%) | Yes | Yes |
| Probability of frost-free period equal to or less than period (Days) (10, 25, 33, 50, 66, 75, 90%) | Yes | Yes |
| Average Last Snowfall in Spring (date) | No | Yes |
| Average First Snowfall in Fall (date) | No | Yes |
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