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 You can’t have too
much information when it comes to predicting the weather. That’s what Environment
Canada believes and their data collection network reflects this ideal. As Canada’s
official weather reporting body, they rely on several methods for attaining accuracy in
the chaotic world of weather prediction. Accurate reporting requires speed—fast collection from many sources and fast reporting to the people who need to know. Environment Canada is charged with coordinating this extraordinary web of hi-tech marvels and down-home knowledge into precise reports for mariners, aviators and shore dwellers. Satellite pictures, automated weather stations and buoys, private contract weather stations operated by citizens with a keen interest in weather; government agencies, such as municipal public works, BC Hydro, Transport Canada, NAV Canada and Coast Guard all contribute to the accuracy of weather reports. Weather RADAR and even numerical predictions from a super computer in Montreal are also factored in. All the information gathered from this weather network is funneled into the Pacific Weather Centre where it is compiled into the public weather forecast, and into special forecasts such as marine or mountain weather. Coast Guard serves as both a source of weather information for Environment Canada, and as a partner in disseminating meteorological information to mariners. Coast Guard operates four Marine Communication and Traffic Services (MCTS) Centres on the coast, controlling 32 remote VHF and MF radio sites. The MCTS officers collect regularly scheduled weather observations from staffed lightstations and Mariner Reports, or MAREPs, from vessels and occasionally aircraft transiting the coast. This information is immediately transmitted to the forecast desk at the Pacific Weather Centre. Deep sea vessels plying the Pacific trade routes provide detailed coded weather information which is collected by the MCTS centres and forwarded to the Marine Forecast Desk. MCTS officers regularly update the VHF radio Continuous Marine Broadcast (CMB) network with the latest marine forecast, local lightstation observations, automated weather station and offshore weather buoy reports. Within minutes of receiving a weather warning such as a Hurricane Force Wind Warning, Storm or Gale Warning, MCTS officers broadcast this vital information on the appropriate frequencies to give the marine users advanced notice so they can prepare for or avoid the approaching adverse weather. For offshore vessels, MCTS operates a broadcast service using NAVTEX at sites in Ucluelet and Prince Rupert. (NAVTEX is an international automated direct-printing service for sending navigational and meteorological warnings and urgent information to ships). Coast Guard plays an important role in gathering data and disseminating marine weather information on behalf of Environment Canada. Only through close cooperation and partnering can Canada maintain the high standards of safety for all whose lives are directly affected by coastal weather. |
