Climate Research Branch

Research Topics

Atmospheric General Circulation Models

Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling & Analysis’ goal of modelling the climate system and simulating potential climate change has recently seen the completion of a suite of historical and projected transient climate change simulations (1900-2100) with its 1^st generation coupled global climate model (CGCM1). The model incorporates an atmospheric general circulation model (GCM2), a full ocean GCM (CCCma’s version of the MOM ocean model), and a thermodynamic sea-ice model.

Cold Climate Energy & Water Cycles

Water and energy cycles are the critical elements of our physical climate system and they must be well understood if we are to have reasonable confidence in long-term predictions. This overall theme necessarily involves atmospheric, land surface, and hydrological processes. From the point of view of Canada, it is only natural that we focus on these cycles with particular focus on cold climates.

Land Surface Process and Modelling

The major work in this theme includes the development of the Canadian Land Surface Scheme (CLASS) model and the coordination of the research in the land surface node of the Canadian Climate Research Network. The use of a comprehensive land surface model such as CLASS provides the framework within which process studies, building upon field observations such as Canadian GEWEX Enhanced Study (CAGES), Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study (BOREAS) and Boreal Ecosystem Research and Monitoring Sites (BERMS), can be fitted and utilized for regional and global climate studies.  Model development with the aim of addressing the unique challenges of Canadian ecosystems is the central purpose of the land surface node of the Canadian Climate Research Network.

Cryosphere in the Climate System

The Cryosphere and climate system theme focuses on understanding the role of the portion of the climate system consisting of the world's ice masses and snow deposits. A major research thrust focuses on the use of remotely sensed data (especially passive microwave) for the derivation, analysis and modelling of geophysical variables important in cold climate systems, including snow cover, sea ice, lake ice and soil moisture.

Measurement Science/Climate Observation Research

This theme conducts research to establish the accuracy of climate observations and the compatibility of climate data sets. Method intercomparison and development of new procedures for climatological observation are conducted in support of the climate program. Selected measurement programs are also undertaken to support climate process modeling and monitoring studies.

Canadian Trends and Variability

In the past several years, Climate Monitoring and Data Interpretation Division has concentrated on the production of homogeneous temperature, precipitation and wind datasets suitable for detailed time series and trend analyses. Work on monthly data has been completed and station datasets have been used to generate national gridded time series of monthly anomalies covering the 20th century and in collaborative production of a North American gridded dataset for GCM and Regional Climate Models (RCM) validation.  We continue to keep Canadians informed of the historical perspective of current climate conditions through electronic publishing of the Climate Trends and Variations Bulletin.

Global Circulation and Teleconnections

In order to comprehend the causes of changes and trends in Canadian climate conditions and detect human influence, it is essential to fully understand the links between the Canadian situation and global atmospheric and oceanic circulation features. We are continuing our work on climate extremes and growing season precipitation links with circulation features, on the association between the North Atlantic Oscillation and Canadian climate conditions and on interannual and interdecadal variability of Pacific sea surface temperatures.

Marine Climatology

Canada’s marine areas are both sensitive to changes in climate and excellent bellwethers of significant change. In addition, different parameters (winds, waves) are most important and measurement techniques and problems are unique. For these reasons, marine climate has been treated as a separate research topic, but the questions to be answered are similar and the general approach, involving emphasis on trustworthy information and creation of gridded time series, is comparable.

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