The weather observations database is being upgraded. Radar and satellite should be fine.

Canadian weather models and spotwx.com

Canadian 3 day North America RDPS and 10 day global GDPS weather models are run every 6 and 12 hours respectively by the Meteorological Service of Canada. Public access to model output raw data is described on their github page .

Spotwx.com charts

The charts produced from model output are presented here by spotwx.com, a by-donation service.

The links to spotwx include station coordinates so the charts are valid for that spot. Model forecasts can then be compared later to the observations taken at the station. The same graphics can be produced for any location by starting at the spotwx.com homepage.

Plotted parameters include the temperature, dew point temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, rain, snow, cloud cover and pressure. Additional options can be selected below each chart.

The 10 metre wind is the standard instrument (anemometer) height. Stations are situated in open fields with good exposure. Public forecast winds assume a similar environment.

There are also charts for forecasting severe summer thunderstorms and wildfire risk.

Watch out!

The "Model elevation" is given on the spotwx page in small type just below the title "RDPS forecast for Lat...". Pay attention to this if mountains are nearby as the model will smooth over the valleys where weather stations are typically situated. An extreme case is the Bella Coola Airport weather station which sits at 38 metres above sea level but has an RDPS model elevation of 1064 metres! This will have a major impact on just about all forecast parameters.



FAQ DIY Forecast About Contact Terms of use Data sources