Map Sources

The Atlas maps are composed of several layers of which there are two broad categories: thematic and base layers. Find below a description of each of the map layers. The layer source is included in the metadata.

Thematic Map Layers

Annual Mean Total Precipitation (mm)

The 1971 to 2000 precipitation climate normals were calculated by Environment Canada in a manner consistent with the methodology of the World Meteorological Organization. The normal is a simple arithmetic average of the monthly or annual precipitation for the specified period. These spatial models have been developed using the thin plate smoothing spline algorithms of ANUSPLIN, which is a mathematically sophisticated approach to generating climate maps at varying spatial and temporal scales. The Canadian Forest Service has been working in partnership with several staff in Environment Canada's Meteorological Service of Canada, the Australian National University (the creator of ANUSPLIN) and others to develop a variety of climate models that cover both Canada and North America.

April Mean Total Precipitation (mm)

The mean total precipitation for the sping season is represented by the month of April, middle of the spring season. The 1971 to 2000 precipitation climate normals were calculated by Environment Canada in a manner consistent with the methodology of the World Meteorological Organization. The normal is a simple arithmetic average of the monthly or annual precipitation for the specified period. These spatial models have been developed using the thin plate smoothing spline algorithms of ANUSPLIN, which is a mathematically sophisticated approach to generating climate maps at varying spatial and temporal scales. The Canadian Forest Service has been working in partnership with several staff in Environment Canada's Meteorological Service of Canada, the Australian National University (the creator of ANUSPLIN) and others to develop a variety of climate models that cover both Canada and North America.

January Mean Total Precipitation (mm)

The mean total precipitation for the winter season is represented by the month of January, middle of the winter season. The 1971 to 2000 precipitation climate normals were calculated by Environment Canada in a manner consistent with the methodology of the World Meteorological Organization. The normal is a simple arithmetic average of the monthly or annual precipitation for the specified period. These spatial models have been developed using the thin plate smoothing spline algorithms of ANUSPLIN, which is a mathematically sophisticated approach to generating climate maps at varying spatial and temporal scales. The Canadian Forest Service has been working in partnership with several staff in Environment Canada's Meteorological Service of Canada, the Australian National University (the creator of ANUSPLIN) and others to develop a variety of climate models that cover both Canada and North America.

July Mean Total Precipitation (mm)

The mean total precipitation for the summer season is represented by the month of July, middle of the summer season. The 1971 to 2000 precipitation climate normals were calculated by Environment Canada in a manner consistent with the methodology of the World Meteorological Organization. The normal is a simple arithmetic average of the monthly or annual precipitation for the specified period. These spatial models have been developed using the thin plate smoothing spline algorithms of ANUSPLIN, which is a mathematically sophisticated approach to generating climate maps at varying spatial and temporal scales. The Canadian Forest Service has been working in partnership with several staff in Environment Canada's Meteorological Service of Canada, the Australian National University (the creator of ANUSPLIN) and others to develop a variety of climate models that cover both Canada and North America.

October Mean Total Precipitation (mm)

The mean total precipitation for the fall season is represented by the month of October, middle of the fall season. The 1971 to 2000 precipitation climate normals were calculated by Environment Canada in a manner consistent with the methodology of the World Meteorological Organization. The normal is a simple arithmetic average of the monthly or annual precipitation for the specified period. These spatial models have been developed using the thin plate smoothing spline algorithms of ANUSPLIN, which is a mathematically sophisticated approach to generating climate maps at varying spatial and temporal scales. The Canadian Forest Service has been working in partnership with several staff in Environment Canada's Meteorological Service of Canada, the Australian National University (the creator of ANUSPLIN) and others to develop a variety of climate models that cover both Canada and North America.

Base Map Layers

Atlas of Canada Framework Layers

Base map components are features that provide a geographic context for the thematic data shown on Atlas of Canada maps. These features include rivers, lakes, administrative boundaries, populated places, roads and rail lines. All of the Atlas of Canada base map components are available for immediate free download in five scales and in a number of data exchange formats. The 1:7 500 000 and the 1:1 000 000 scale data are the primary base frameworks used for all Atlas of Canada 6th Edition online maps. You can download Atlas of Canada data from this Web page on GeoGratis.

References

Environment Canada. Climate Trends and Variations Bulletin, January to August 1998 (Regional Analysis)

Environment Canada. Climate Trends and Variations Bulletin, January to August 1998 Temperature and Precipitation in Historical Perspective (National Overview)

Environment Canada. Meteorological Service of Canada. Climate Trends and Variations Bulletin

Environment Canada. Meteorological Service of Canada. Canada's Top Ten Weather Stories For 2005

Hare, F.K. and M.K. Thomas. 1974. Climate Canada. Toronto: Wiley Publishers of Canada Limited. 256pp.

McKenney DW, Papadopol P, Campbell K, Lawrence K, Hutchinson MF. 2006. Spatial Models of Canadian and North American-Wide 1971/2000 Minimum and Maximum Temperature, Total Precipitation and Derived Bioclimatic Variables. Sault Ste. Marie (Ontario): Canadian Forest Service Front Line Technical Note no. 106.

Phillips, David. 1990. The Climates of Canada. Ottawa: Ministry of Supply and Services, Ottawa. 176pp.

The Australian National University (ANU). Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies

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