Library of climate resources

This is a collection of links to climate datasets, tools, guidance and related resources. The sources include the federal government, provincial and territorial governments, national professional organizations, climate consortia and established international organizations. It can be useful for impact, vulnerability and risk assessments, and for adaptation planning.

Refine your search using the search filters. You can also type up to 5 keywords in the search bar.

Explanation of the different resource types
  • data product - downloadable climate dataset
  • tool - builds on a dataset with further analyses and/or visualization
  • guidance - provides direction on the use of climate information or on conducting climate-related assessments
  • codes and standards - guidance and best practice documents for climate resilient design
  • additional resources include educational and awareness-raising material, impact assessments and scientific syntheses

Showing 1 - 10 of 13 results
  • Agriculture Water Demand Model (Opens in a new Window)

    The Agriculture Water Demand Model (AWDM) calculates current water requirements for agriculture using crop, soil, irrigation system type, and historical climate data, as well as future water requirements using projected climate change scenarios. The climate data layer has been developed for the entire Province of BC on 500 metre by 500 metre grid cells. The water demand results help municipalities to develop dedicated agriculture water that the Water Sustainability Act (WSA) supports. The BC Ministry of Agriculture has continued to collaborate with partners to expand the AWDM to other regions of the province, with complete coverage expected by 2021. Text reports are available for download for a variety of regions within BC
    Organization:
    Government of British Columbia
    Resource formats:
    • Data files
    • Scientific synthesis
    • Tool

    An inventory of historical climate data and climate projections for the Canadian North (Opens in a new Window)

    This collaborative report presents the work done by the Northern Climate Data Working Group Phase I, which was created in December 2020 by the Canadian Centre for Climate Services with researchers and scientists from a wide range of universities and organizations. The report constitutes a large inventory of datasets that can be useful for future development of climate products to support climate-change adaptation decision-making in the Canadian North. Datasets for meteorological, snow, hydrology, sea ice, and permafrost variables were analyzed for the historical period and for future projections. The main information is presented in the form of tables with links to websites and descriptive documents, many of which are attached as annexes. The Phase II of the Working Group has transformed the inventory presented in this report into an online searchable database (https://nordata.physics.utoronto.ca/en/) A PDF copy of this report is available upon request. Please contact Emilia.Diaconescu@ec.gc.ca if interested.
    Organization:
    Government of Canada: Environment and Climate Change Canada, Carleton University, CSA Group, Government of Northwest Territories, Ouranos, University of Calgary, University of Manitoba, University of Northern British Columbia, University of Toronto, University of Victoria, Yukon University Research Centre
    Resource formats:
    • Data files
    • Interactive
    • Scientific synthesis
    • Tool

    Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis (CCCma) Climate Model data overview (Opens in a new Window)

    Climate model data from a number of climate models developed by the Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis (CCCma) are available for download. Climate model output is available for the Fourth Generation Global Climate Model (CanESM2 / CGCM4 ), the Canadian Regional Climate Model (CanRCM4), and the Canadian Middle Atmosphere Model (CMAM). Gridded historical simulations and future projections from these climate models are available for downloading.
    Organization:
    Government of Canada: Environment and Climate Change Canada, Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium
    Resource formats:
    • Data files

    Climate data – High resolution projections (Opens in a new Window)

    Climate data - High resolution projections contains high resolution climate change data focused on Ontario. The dataset contains the 50th percentile high resolution probabilistic projections of annual averaged temperature and precipitation over Ontario, covering the 1970s, 2030s, 2050s, and 2080s. Data are provided in partnership with the University of Regina and York University. Data are available for download in tabular and gridded formats
    Organization:
    Government of Ontario, University of Regina, York University
    Resource formats:
    • Data files
    • Interactive
    • Mapped

    CMIP5 graphics and tables (Opens in a new Window)

    Graphics and tables of projected changes in climate across Canada are computed from an ensemble of multi-model output gathered as part of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5). Projections are based on the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios. Time series data are available for projected changes in temperature, precipitation, and snow depth annually and seasonally. Maps of projected changes in temperature, precipitation, snow depth, sea ice concentration, sea ice thickness, and wind speed are available for three future time periods between 2016 and 2100.
    Organization:
    Government of Canada: Environment and Climate Change Canada
    Resource formats:
    • Data files
    • Graphical
    • Mapped

    CMIP5 gridded data (Opens in a new Window)

    Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) global climate model data regridded onto a common 1x1 degree global grid are available. Global climate model data at a monthly temporal resolution are available in gridded format for several variables including mean temperature, precipitation, sea ice thickness, sea ice concentration, snow depth, and near-surface wind speed. Individual and ensemble model output are available for historical (1900-2005) and future (2006-2100) time periods. Future projections are based on the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios.
    Organization:
    Government of Canada: Environment and Climate Change Canada
    Resource formats:
    • Data files

    Design Value Explorer (Opens in a new Window)

    PCIC’s Design Value Explorer (DVE) enables users to access historical climatic design variables across Canada, in either map or table form, examine projected future change in design variables, and download maps and tables. Climatic design values are used by engineers to determine some elements of the environment that buildings and other infrastructure may be exposed to. This information was produced by PCIC, in collaboration with Environment and Climate Change Canada and the National Research Council, to support updates to the National Building Code of Canada (2015, Table C-2) and the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code (CHBDC/ CSA S6 2014, Annex A3.1).
    Organization:
    Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium
    Resource formats:
    • Data files
    • Interactive
    • Mapped
    • Tool
    • Vulnerability or risk assessment
    • Adaptation planning

    Forest Change Adaptation Tools (Opens in a new Window)

    Forest Change adaptation tools provides information about the impacts of climate change on Canada’s forests and on how to adapt to changing climate conditions. Adaptation tools and resources for forest managers are available here. The tools and resources provided include maps, databases, web applications and synthesis reports. They are grouped under three broad systems: climate, forest and human.
    Organization:
    Government of Canada: Natural Resources Canada
    Resource formats:
    • Data files
    • Interactive
    • Graphical
    • Mapped
    • Tool

    Forest Change Data Catalogue (Opens in a new Window)

    The Forest Climate Change Data Catalogue is a collection of data sets that are relevant to the Canadian forest sector under a changing climate. Created by Canadian Forest Service scientists, these data sets include static maps, raw data (both point and gridded), and interactive maps that cover all of Canada. Data themes include drought, fire, climate and tree distribution; multiple climate scenarios are projected to the year 2100. The data sets will be periodically updated as new information becomes available.
    Organization:
    Government of Canada: Natural Resources Canada
    Resource formats:
    • Data files
    • Graphical
    • Mapped
    • Tool

    Gridded Hydrologic Model Output (Opens in a new Window)

    The Gridded Hydrologic Model Output page provides access to gridded, 1/16-degree (roughly 35 km2) hydrologic projections for four watersheds in British Columbia. Users can select locations of interest on a gridded map. Hydrological variables including precipitation, flow, evapotranspiration, and runoff are available for download under various climate scenarios in NetCDF, ASCII, and Arc formats.
    Organization:
    Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium
    Resource formats:
    • Data files
    • Interactive
    • Mapped
    • Tool


As mentioned in the Terms and Conditions of this website, links to websites not under the control of the Government of Canada are offered on an “AS IS” basis and are provided solely for the convenience of our website visitors. The Government of Canada is not responsible for the accuracy, currency or reliability of the content of such websites. The Government of Canada does not offer any guarantee in that regard and is not responsible nor liable for the information found through these links, and does not endorse the sites nor their content. Visitors should also be aware that the information offered by non-Government of Canada sites to which this website links is not subject to the Privacy Act or the Official Languages Act and may not be accessible to persons with disabilities. The information offered may be available only in the language (s) used by the sites in question. With respect to privacy, visitors should research the privacy policies of these non-government websites before providing personal information.

More resources from the Canadian Centre for Climate Services

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