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 11 results
  • 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 Indices (Opens in a new Window)

    Climate Indices includes time series, seasonal, and annual data for a number of variables including sea & air temperature, salinity, runoff, flow, ice coverage, iceberg count, and North Atlantic Oscillation Index. Data are observed or observation-based, and are available in a variety of temporal resolutions and historical periods, depending on the variable of interest. Data are available in tabular and graphical formats.
    Organization:
    Government of Canada: Fisheries and Oceans Canada
    Resource formats:
    • Data files
    • Graphical

    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

    Data at NSIDC (Opens in a new Window)

    Data at National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) is a large repository of datasets that describe historical cryosphere information. Datasets available include temperature, glaciers, ice sheets, permafrost, sea ice, sea moisture, and snow. Historical data are available as point and gridded data.
    Organization:
    National Snow and Ice Data Center
    Resource formats:
    • Data files
    • Mapped

    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

    Regional, national and international climate modeling (Opens in a new Window)

    Regional, national and international climate modeling contains a database of numerous climate variables for Canada and the USA. Historical and future periods are available as modelled point and gridded data. Data are available as 30-year averages (e.g. 1961/90; 1971/2000, etc.), historical month-by-month (from the late 1800s), and daily values (from the 1950s) all for a number of variables, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) climate change scenarios, and climate models. Future time periods include all years to 2100 and 30-year means for 2011-2040, 2041-2070, and 2071-2100.
    Organization:
    Government of Canada: Natural Resources Canada
    Resource formats:
    • Data files
    • Graphical
    • Mapped
    • Tool

    the MSC HTTP Data Server (Opens in a new Window)

    The Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC) HTTP data server is a direct source for raw meteorological, climate and forecast datasets. This service is aimed at specialized users with strong meteorological and IT knowledge.
    Organization:
    Government of Canada: Environment and Climate Change Canada
    Resource formats:
    • Data files


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

Date modified: