• AWARE: The atmosphere, the weather and flying
• Project Atmosphere Canada
• Introduction to Meteorology and Related Sciences
• Meteorology Self Instructions
• Lightning Hot Spots in Canada
• El Niño
• La Niña
• Severe Weather Watcher Handbook
• Arctic Ozone
• UV Index and Sun Protection
• Wind Chill Program
• Science of Climate Change
• CRYSYS

MSC Educational Publications

AWARE: The atmosphere, the weather and flying

To increase flight security, Environment Canada created, in 1990, the Aware Weather Manual to teach theoretical and practical meteorology to future pilots and flight operators. This manual deals primarily with weather related aspects that are of special concern to all pilots.

Project Atmosphere Canada - Teacher's Guide

Project Atmosphere Canada (PAC) is a collaborative initiative of Environment Canada and the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (CMOS) to foster the teaching of atmospheric sciences and related topics in Canada across the grades K-12.

Introduction to Meteorology and Related Sciences

This Introduction has been designed to allow non-technical people to learn about MSC and its science. It will be of interest to people in other agencies of Environment Canada or in other government departments, so they can learn more about the meteorological activities of the department. It will also be of interest to those who may wish to start a career in meteorology, climate, hydrology or another environmentally related fields. Finally, members of the general public with an interest in these areas will enjoy the tour as well.

Meteorology Self Instructions

This course is a web-based training module that will act as an introduction for non-meteorological staff of the Meteorological Service Of Canada (MSC), Environment Canada, to the activities of MSC and to basic meteorology as practiced by MSC staff.. The course allows employees, work units and organizations to cope with the full implementation of e-government as they can learn when they want, what they want and review as often as they need. It will facilitate team learning of new and evolving knowledge and skills for many in the Department, as basic meteorology would be new knowledge and interpreting maps and forecasts, would be a new skill. In particular, this project addresses the need to acquaint non-meteorological staff of Environment Canada with the tools of basic meteorology and the procedures used by MSC staff in the delivery of its programs.

Lightning Hot Spots in Canada

A series of maps showing where lighting occurs most frequently in Canada, lightning activity in major cities, safety tips and more information.

El Niño

This award-winning site contains comprehensive information on the past and present impact of El Niño on the climate of Canada and its effects on the global climate. Through animation, this site shows the changes in the Canadian climate and climatic extremes that accompany El Niño. Along with a scientific explanation of the El Niño phenomenon, comparisons between various El Niños and forecast of El Niño are provided.

La Niña

This site contains comprehensive information on the past and present impact of La Niña on the climate of Canada and its effects on the global climate. Through animation, this site shows the changes in the Canadian climate and climatic extremes that accompany La Niña. Along with a scientific explanation of the La Niña phenomenon, comparisons between various La Niña and forecast of La Niña are provided.

Severe Weather Watcher Handbook

Volunteer weather watchers' reports of severe weather are sometimes the only information available concerning local weather events. Our radar network cannot detect the fine detail and localized events the eyes of the public can often see. When it comes to severe weather, this site is where we help you help us. For interested volunteers, this Handbook provides the knowledge to report weather information effectively and accurately.

Arctic Ozone

This site examines the natural processes of the ozone layer as well as the impact of ozone depleting chemicals over the Arctic, which has led to severe ozone depletion episodes. Natural factors, such as the quasi-biennial oscillation, El Niño, solar cycle, and volcanoes, also affect Arctic ozone depletion and are explained. In the future, the effects of climate change on Arctic ozone depletion will become an increasingly important research topic.

UV Index and Sun Protection

This website teaches students under the age of 14 about the UV Index and how to use it to minimize the risk to their health from solar ultraviolet radiation. The site contains a wealth of information for teachers, parents and students on the UV Index, the science of the ozone layer, ozone depletion, and sun health. Teachers can also register on-line for the Sun Savvy School Club, which involves students in measuring and recording UV radiation levels and sharing their knowledge with schools, students, and their communities.

Wind Chill Program

The Wind Chill Web site is Environment Canada's repository of information on wind chill. It contains an online calculator, a downloadable calculator, a fact sheet to explain wind chill and its effects, various charts and graphs to determine the wind chill index as well as the time to frostbite for the most sensitive segment of the population. The site also provides the context and the science behind the revisions to the North American wind chill index that were implemented for the winter 2001-02.

Science of Climate Change

This website summarizes the key principles of the science of climate change, including information on greenhouse gases, climate trends, climate change projections and impacts of climate change. Reports on recent developments in Canadian and international climate science research are posted on this site. There is a library of special assessment reports and newsletters on climate change issues. As well, there is information on where to go to contact experts or access other useful websites.

CRYSYS - CRYosphere SYStem in Canada

This website provides an overview of the CRYSYS (CRYosphere SYStem in Canada) project as well as resource material on the Canadian cryosphere (sea ice, snow cover, freshwater ice, glaciers and ice caps, frozen ground and permafrost).

The Green Lane^TM,
Environment Canada's World Wide Web Site.