Winnipeg - Metadata
For more history of weather observing in Winnipeg, see Rob's post
1 - Stations Used by Variable
Links to stations listed in the above table: St John's College, YWG, YWG AWOS, XWG, Charleswood, Charleswood (robsobs), St Andrews, Hangarline Road, The Forks, Weatherlogics (southwest Winnipeg).
2 - Data Sources
Primary:
ECCC Climate Archives
Secondary:
- Library Archives of Canada in Winnipeg (1700 Inkster Blvd). I am in the process of retrieving all observer notes from 1870s to the 1940s which help to enhance my dataset (confirm erroneous data, addition of t-storm days and hail events, etc). I cannot post pictures of all the pages due to copyright and the amount of pictures taken, but a few links to pictures may be included on this website when referenced.
- NOAA (for metar, airway reports (AWY), synops, for the periods: 1955 to 1966, 1973 to Jun 1977, and 1982 to present.
- Ogimet (for synops since 1999, metar since 2005)
- Weatherlogics (for snowfall, snow depth and backup SWE (in the case Airport severely undercaught in wind) October 2022-present - note, snow depth only accessible via a password-protected interface, but snowfall and SWE are available publically through their website).
- robsobs.ca (for snow, snow depth, as backup for Charleswood fall 2004 to present, and as primary for 2003 to spring 2004)
- Monthly and annual meteorological summaries for Winnipeg Int'l Airport, from 1977 to 2004, obtained from Dale Marciski's collection at the ECCC Winnipeg office.
- Observer's raw paper copies from Robert Paola (for Charleswood, as backup for ECCC Archives and robsobs.ca)
- FRODO (Used since 2014 as short-term backup, and since fall 2017 to retrieve SPECI dewpoint values)
- CoCoRaHS (Used for Charleswood snow-water equivalent 2014-present) - Note that Rob uses an official ECCC Type-B gauge for these measurements.
- met-acre.net (for St John's College observations from observers February 1873 to September 1879)
- Winnipeg Free Press Archives (during the St John's College era pre-1938; mostly for thunderstorm wind gusts or other data during certain weather events)
- Winnipeg Tribune Archive (during the St John's College era pre-1938; mostly for thunderstorm wind gusts or other data during certain weather events)
- Upper Fort Garry Post Journal (or Red River Post Journal) (Hudson's Bay Company journal with daily weather comments in the 19th century at Red River Settlement (now The Forks Winnipeg). Retrieved via the Manitoba Archives.
- Hathi Trust Digital Library (for miscellaneous data in the past, such as thunderstorm occurrences pre-1953, rainfall intensity, wind gusts, sunshine hours) :
https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/101651654
https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/003916275
https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/009366519
https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/100111672
https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/000527267
- The Open Data Rescue Project has been kind enough to share some data. (source of data)
- Monthly Weather Review articles published by the Meteorological Service of Canada 1880s-1910s, via Google Books.
- Lipson (1965), an ECCC publication, had some hail dates for Winnipeg Airport in the 1950s and early 1960s.
ECCC Climate Archives
Secondary:
- Library Archives of Canada in Winnipeg (1700 Inkster Blvd). I am in the process of retrieving all observer notes from 1870s to the 1940s which help to enhance my dataset (confirm erroneous data, addition of t-storm days and hail events, etc). I cannot post pictures of all the pages due to copyright and the amount of pictures taken, but a few links to pictures may be included on this website when referenced.
- NOAA (for metar, airway reports (AWY), synops, for the periods: 1955 to 1966, 1973 to Jun 1977, and 1982 to present.
- Ogimet (for synops since 1999, metar since 2005)
- Weatherlogics (for snowfall, snow depth and backup SWE (in the case Airport severely undercaught in wind) October 2022-present - note, snow depth only accessible via a password-protected interface, but snowfall and SWE are available publically through their website).
- robsobs.ca (for snow, snow depth, as backup for Charleswood fall 2004 to present, and as primary for 2003 to spring 2004)
- Monthly and annual meteorological summaries for Winnipeg Int'l Airport, from 1977 to 2004, obtained from Dale Marciski's collection at the ECCC Winnipeg office.
- Observer's raw paper copies from Robert Paola (for Charleswood, as backup for ECCC Archives and robsobs.ca)
- FRODO (Used since 2014 as short-term backup, and since fall 2017 to retrieve SPECI dewpoint values)
- CoCoRaHS (Used for Charleswood snow-water equivalent 2014-present) - Note that Rob uses an official ECCC Type-B gauge for these measurements.
- met-acre.net (for St John's College observations from observers February 1873 to September 1879)
- Winnipeg Free Press Archives (during the St John's College era pre-1938; mostly for thunderstorm wind gusts or other data during certain weather events)
- Winnipeg Tribune Archive (during the St John's College era pre-1938; mostly for thunderstorm wind gusts or other data during certain weather events)
- Upper Fort Garry Post Journal (or Red River Post Journal) (Hudson's Bay Company journal with daily weather comments in the 19th century at Red River Settlement (now The Forks Winnipeg). Retrieved via the Manitoba Archives.
- Hathi Trust Digital Library (for miscellaneous data in the past, such as thunderstorm occurrences pre-1953, rainfall intensity, wind gusts, sunshine hours) :
https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/101651654
https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/003916275
https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/009366519
https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/100111672
https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/000527267
- The Open Data Rescue Project has been kind enough to share some data. (source of data)
- Monthly Weather Review articles published by the Meteorological Service of Canada 1880s-1910s, via Google Books.
- Lipson (1965), an ECCC publication, had some hail dates for Winnipeg Airport in the 1950s and early 1960s.
3 - Climate Days
The timeframe used for the daily data is not defined by the calendar day, but instead by the climate day. The definition of the climate day is set by ECCC.
*****Until July 1, 1961*****, the climate day was approximately 12 UTC to 12 UTC (6am CST to 6am CST). For snowfall, a measurement for accumulation over the past 24 hours was taken slightly after 12 UTC, at 6:30am CST (12:30 UTC), typically. An exception applies to some weather elements days such as thunderstorm/lightning/hail days, fog days, smoke days, blowing/drifting snow/dust days, which I am still using the 06 UTC to 06 UTC climate day before July 1961.
****Note that during the years of St John's College, I have found evidence to suggest the climate day was actually 7pm to 7pm (approx 00z-00z). Evidence found from 1902-1912 via the Library Archives of Canada.
After July 1, 1961, the climate day was and still is 06 UTC to 06 UTC (midnight to midnight CST). However, exceptions apply:
- For Charleswood, the climate day from fall 2004 to present is 12 UTC to 12 UTC (ECCC website). From 2003 to spring 2004, it was 06 UTC to 06 UTC (robsobs.ca).
- From 1995 to May 1997, the climate day was 12 UTC to 12 UTC due to the data being collected by observers at the Winnipeg Hangarline Road station. However, for rain, snow and precip I manually changed the climate day to 06 UTC ot 06 UTC whenever enough information/data were available to do so. Note that for daily dewpoint/humidex/wind chill max/min, daily max sustained wind speed, weather elements (rain days, snow days, thunderstorm days, freezing rain days etc...) I am still using exclusively a 06 UTC to 06 UTC climate day for this period.
- From January 1998 to March 1999, the daily maximum wind gust was for the 12 UTC to 12 UTC climate day. I do not know why this was the case.
For the St John's College era (1872-1938), it is not certain what time the observations were taken but the climate day was likely something of the order of 12 UTC to 12 UTC or 15 UTC to 15 UTC (research ongoing). For thunderstorm days, I am sticking with the 06 UTC to 06 UTC climate day since the exact times they occurred are available.
*****Until July 1, 1961*****, the climate day was approximately 12 UTC to 12 UTC (6am CST to 6am CST). For snowfall, a measurement for accumulation over the past 24 hours was taken slightly after 12 UTC, at 6:30am CST (12:30 UTC), typically. An exception applies to some weather elements days such as thunderstorm/lightning/hail days, fog days, smoke days, blowing/drifting snow/dust days, which I am still using the 06 UTC to 06 UTC climate day before July 1961.
****Note that during the years of St John's College, I have found evidence to suggest the climate day was actually 7pm to 7pm (approx 00z-00z). Evidence found from 1902-1912 via the Library Archives of Canada.
After July 1, 1961, the climate day was and still is 06 UTC to 06 UTC (midnight to midnight CST). However, exceptions apply:
- For Charleswood, the climate day from fall 2004 to present is 12 UTC to 12 UTC (ECCC website). From 2003 to spring 2004, it was 06 UTC to 06 UTC (robsobs.ca).
- From 1995 to May 1997, the climate day was 12 UTC to 12 UTC due to the data being collected by observers at the Winnipeg Hangarline Road station. However, for rain, snow and precip I manually changed the climate day to 06 UTC ot 06 UTC whenever enough information/data were available to do so. Note that for daily dewpoint/humidex/wind chill max/min, daily max sustained wind speed, weather elements (rain days, snow days, thunderstorm days, freezing rain days etc...) I am still using exclusively a 06 UTC to 06 UTC climate day for this period.
- From January 1998 to March 1999, the daily maximum wind gust was for the 12 UTC to 12 UTC climate day. I do not know why this was the case.
For the St John's College era (1872-1938), it is not certain what time the observations were taken but the climate day was likely something of the order of 12 UTC to 12 UTC or 15 UTC to 15 UTC (research ongoing). For thunderstorm days, I am sticking with the 06 UTC to 06 UTC climate day since the exact times they occurred are available.
4 - Units
Until December 31, 1976, all measurements were taken in imperial units. Starting January 1, 1977, all measurements were taken in metric units. All historical data in imperial units have been converted to metric units.
5 - History of Snow Data Collection
The following map shows the locations and stations of snow measuring in Winnipeg from 1955 to 1997.
From my honours thesis (2017), locations of snow measuring for Winnipeg 1955 to spring 2022
Until 1994, snow measurements at the Airport followed ManObs standards, that is, taking several measurements (such as 30 measurements) and averaging them. Observers were directly hired by EC. From 1994 to 1997, the observers were on contract at the Nav Canada Hangarline Road site, so not directly affiliated with EC.
From summer 1997 to the end of 2002, EC Climate Control Technicians estimated snow and snow depth at the Airport based on volunteer reports spread across the city, so the amounts were not truly measured at the Airport.
2003 onward, measurements were taken by Robert Paola in Charleswood. He follows standards as much as possible (taking several measurements and averaging). The location is a residential back yard so is sheltered. Rob actually has snow measurements back to 1998, and comparing them with what was reported in the Archives for the Airport (estimates - see above 1997-2002) showed that snowfall was fairly similar, but snow depth was sometimes significantly higher thanks to the sheltering effect.
Starting in fall 2022, snowfall measurements have been taken by Weatherlogics in the southwestern part of the city (Linden Woods general area). The setting of the measurements is more similar to the old measurements from the Airport. They are taken in a somewhat sheltered field, which reduces blowing snow a little bit. There is still blowing snow however, which can make snow measuring difficult in windy situations. In these situations, Weatherlogics measurers must follow a procedure to come up with a snowfall amount. Measurements are taken every 6 hours, at midnight, 6am, noon and 6pm, following MANOBS standards (ECCC standard) as closely as possible.
From summer 1997 to the end of 2002, EC Climate Control Technicians estimated snow and snow depth at the Airport based on volunteer reports spread across the city, so the amounts were not truly measured at the Airport.
2003 onward, measurements were taken by Robert Paola in Charleswood. He follows standards as much as possible (taking several measurements and averaging). The location is a residential back yard so is sheltered. Rob actually has snow measurements back to 1998, and comparing them with what was reported in the Archives for the Airport (estimates - see above 1997-2002) showed that snowfall was fairly similar, but snow depth was sometimes significantly higher thanks to the sheltering effect.
Starting in fall 2022, snowfall measurements have been taken by Weatherlogics in the southwestern part of the city (Linden Woods general area). The setting of the measurements is more similar to the old measurements from the Airport. They are taken in a somewhat sheltered field, which reduces blowing snow a little bit. There is still blowing snow however, which can make snow measuring difficult in windy situations. In these situations, Weatherlogics measurers must follow a procedure to come up with a snowfall amount. Measurements are taken every 6 hours, at midnight, 6am, noon and 6pm, following MANOBS standards (ECCC standard) as closely as possible.
6 - In-Between Hourly Observations (SPECIs)
In-between hourly observations (SPECIs) exist for the following periods:
1973 to Jun 1977 - from NOAA
1982 to present - NOAA and/or Ogimet
In-between hourly observations (SPECIs) are useful to determine the occurrence of weather elements in between the hourly observations in ECCC Archives. Examples include thunderstorm occurrences, blowing snow, freezing rain, rain, snow, etc..... Without these SPECIs, it is difficult or impossible to know what happened in between hourly observations.
Some past-weather codes exist from NOAA for the following periods:
Jul 1955 to Jul 1963.
Past-weather codes mention weather elements that occurred within the past hour or the past 6 hours. These can help find some weather elements that occurred in between hourly observations in years without SPECIs.
1973 to Jun 1977 - from NOAA
1982 to present - NOAA and/or Ogimet
In-between hourly observations (SPECIs) are useful to determine the occurrence of weather elements in between the hourly observations in ECCC Archives. Examples include thunderstorm occurrences, blowing snow, freezing rain, rain, snow, etc..... Without these SPECIs, it is difficult or impossible to know what happened in between hourly observations.
Some past-weather codes exist from NOAA for the following periods:
Jul 1955 to Jul 1963.
Past-weather codes mention weather elements that occurred within the past hour or the past 6 hours. These can help find some weather elements that occurred in between hourly observations in years without SPECIs.
7 - More history
Via Principal Station Data (Winnipeg Int'l A) published in 1983, see important dates of change in anemometer height, snow gauge used, station location, and start of hourly data collection. Click this link to view the file.
In addition, click this link to view a file with miscellaneous records for YWG, including all-time sunshine records, hail days, thunderstorm days, fog days, and more. This page was found in Dale Marciski's collection at the Winnipeg ECCC office.
Via Daily Climatological Data (Toronto, 1970; Department of Transport Meteorological Branch), some history of the St Johns College and Airport stations (1872-1969). Click this link to view the page.
From Environment Canada's publication: ''Weather Notes 1975 Winnipeg, Manitoba'':
A full history of monthly and annual sunshine hours in Winnipeg (from Weather Notes 1975 Winnipeg, Manitoba ECCC publication).
A history of mean wind speed per month and year 1921-1960 and 1961-1974. (from Weather Notes 1974 Winnipeg Manitoba ECCC publication)
A history of flood heights of the Winnipeg Red River until the 1960s. (Climate of Winnipeg ECCC publication 1966)
Graph of return period of certain rainfall intensities, published in 1966.
Annual meteorological summary for Winnipeg published by the government in 1963 has some history of weather stations in Winnipeg, including a comparison between st john's College and Winnipeg Airport, as well as details on instrumentation in 1963.
In addition, click this link to view a file with miscellaneous records for YWG, including all-time sunshine records, hail days, thunderstorm days, fog days, and more. This page was found in Dale Marciski's collection at the Winnipeg ECCC office.
Via Daily Climatological Data (Toronto, 1970; Department of Transport Meteorological Branch), some history of the St Johns College and Airport stations (1872-1969). Click this link to view the page.
From Environment Canada's publication: ''Weather Notes 1975 Winnipeg, Manitoba'':
- A bit of history of weather stations 1870s-1970s.
- Instrumentation used at the Airport in 1975.
- More instrumentation used at the Airport in 1975.
A full history of monthly and annual sunshine hours in Winnipeg (from Weather Notes 1975 Winnipeg, Manitoba ECCC publication).
A history of mean wind speed per month and year 1921-1960 and 1961-1974. (from Weather Notes 1974 Winnipeg Manitoba ECCC publication)
A history of flood heights of the Winnipeg Red River until the 1960s. (Climate of Winnipeg ECCC publication 1966)
Graph of return period of certain rainfall intensities, published in 1966.
Annual meteorological summary for Winnipeg published by the government in 1963 has some history of weather stations in Winnipeg, including a comparison between st john's College and Winnipeg Airport, as well as details on instrumentation in 1963.
