The hourly wind-bias adjusted precipitation data set from the Environment and Climate Change Canada automated surface observation network (2001–2019)

Abstract

Abstract. The measurement of precipitation in the Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) surface network is a crucial component for climate and weather monitoring, flood and water resource forecasting, numerical weather prediction and many other applications that impact the health and safety of Canadians. Through the late 1990s and early 2000s, ECCC surface network modernization resulted in a shift from manual to automated precipitation measurements. Although many advantages to automation are realized, such as enhanced capabilities for monitoring in remote locations and higher frequency of observations at lower cost, the increased reliance on automated precipitation gauges has also resulted in additional challenges, especially with data quality and homogenization. The automated weighing precipitation gauges used in the ECCC operational network have an increased propensity for wind-induced undercatch of solid precipitation. One outcome of the WMO Solid Precipitation Inter-Comparison Experiment (SPICE) was the development of transfer functions for the adjustment of high frequency solid precipitation measurements made with gauge/wind shield configurations used in the ECCC surface network. Using the SPICE Universal Transfer Function (UTF), hourly precipitation measurements from 397 ECCC automated climate stations were retroactively adjusted for wind undercatch. The data format, quality control and adjustment procedures are described here. The hourly adjusted data set (2001–2019, version v2019UTF) is available via the ECCC data catalogue: https://doi.org/10.18164/6b90d130-4e73-422a-9374-07a2437d7e52 (ECCC, 2021). A basic spatial impact assessment shows that the highest relative total precipitation adjustments occur in the Arctic where solid precipitation has an overall higher annual occurrence ratio. The highest adjustments for solid precipitation are shared by the Arctic, southern Prairies and the coastal Maritimes, where stations tend to be more exposed and snowfall events occur at higher wind speeds.

Enhanced automated meteorological observations at the Canadian Arctic Weather Science (CAWS) supersites

“…It operated continuously with limited data gaps. These instruments are commonly used in various climates and have become an established and reliable measurement platform (Milewska et al, 2019;Smith et al, 2022). No adjustment for wind undercatch of solid precipitation was performed; as such, this dataset should be used with caution.…”

“…Economic activity in the Arctic is growing due to increasing population, transportation, tourism, and resource development with the opening of the Northwest Passage. For instance, marine and air traffic have significantly increased in the region (Smith and Stephenson, 2013;Arctic Council, 2017). At the same time, the changing climate, which is amplified in the Arctic region, induces changes in weather events with a high socio-economic impact (WMO, 2011).…”