FAQ’s

Alternative data for Ottawa, go to:
Daily data: Ottawa CDA or Ottawa CDA RCS
Hourly data: Ottawa CDA

Alternative data for Hamilton, go to:
Daily data: Hamilton RBG CS
Hourly data: Hamilton RBG CS

Why are these changes being introduced?
The equipment that is used to record weather conditions and the system used to process the data are obsolete and need to be modernized. This includes implementing a more reliable way to measure winds and to be able to issue reports of weather conditions more quickly, which is especially important during rapidly-changing weather.
Why is hourly data not available for these stations?
Currently, the Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC) is upgrading its systems to handle the new data format received from these sites. As a result, hourly data for the new sites, Ottawa Int'l and Hamilton, will not be available on Climate Data Online until mid-February, 2012. If you require hourly data, it can be provided to you upon request from Climate Services (climate.services@ec.gc.ca).

Why is daily data missing for so many days?
A few problems with the new system have led to erroneous data and as a result, some daily data for these sites on Climate Data Online is missing.  In the interim, a short-term solution to fill in the missing daily data online is being investigated.  We ask for your patience as we work towards providing you with a more complete dataset. A permanent solution is expected to be implemented by mid-February, 2012.

When do you expect to have these problems corrected?
Permanent solutions to these problems are expected to be implemented by mid-February 2012.

Will the historical climate data be permanently lost?
The weather data is being captured at these two locations and it will be entered into our climate archives to ensure an unbroken record of weather and climate info.

Will all locations be changed?
These are the first two sites to be upgraded in Canada; over the next 5-6 years the new system will be implemented at roughly 200 stations across Canada
Who owns / runs these observing sites?
These weather observing sites are owned and operated by NAV CANADA in support of aviation needs. The MSC works closely with NAV CANADA to use the weather reports from these sites to fulfill its needs (for example, for issuing public forecasts and warnings), and to make available to the Canadian public via WeatherOffice.gc.ca and climate archives websites.

I have further questions, who do I contact?
Please contact our National Climate Services office at climate.services@ec.gc.ca.