New Forecast Regions To Improve Quality Of Local Weather Information

Public forecast regions for Alberta click here to enlarge Severe weather warning regions for central and northern Alberta click here to enlarge Severe weather warning regions for southern Alberta and the mountain parks click here to enlarge

EDMONTON, Alberta, April 10, 2003 - Local weather forecasts for Alberta will become more precise on April 15, when the number of forecast regions in the province increases from 27 to 34. The changes will result in smaller forecast regions more closely aligned with communities' and rural municipal boundaries, and will enable forecasters to take greater account of local factors such as terrain, land cover and population patterns. The increased number of forecast regions reflects advances in meteorological research and technology that have enhanced the Meteorological Service of Canada's ability to develop detailed forecasts for ever-smaller geographic areas.

"The smaller forecast areas will give Albertans more tailored weather information for their regions," says Tim Goos, Director of the Meteorological Service of Canada, Prairie and Northern Region. "It will also allow meteorologists to provide more precise local weather warnings to emergency responders working across the province."

The names of the new forecast areas generally correspond with the names of communities or geographic regions. They have been chosen on the basis of how well they represent the area covered by the region, promoting better recognition for those living or traveling in these areas. Jasper National Park will now be a part of the southern Alberta forecast bulletin, joining Banff National Park. Also, the areas surrounding Edmonton and Calgary will be divided into four regions, providing residents with weather forecasts and warnings more tightly focused on their specific geographic areas.

This is part of Environment Canada's ongoing commitment to continuously improve the quality and timeliness of weather information provided to Canadians. These changes are possible because of improvements in technologies, data collection and computer modeling which allows us to better interpret the data received from the more than 1000 observation and monitoring sites located in Alberta.

Other improvements include the recent installation of the fifth Doppler Radar located in southeast Alberta at Schuler. Doppler weather radar enables our experts to detect severe weather more precisely and to provide more advanced warnings than previously possible. This means that, when minutes count, warnings of intense storms will be generated with more lead time to the public and private sector.

Maps of both the Public Forecast and Severe Thunderstorm/Tornado Warning Regions will be posted on Environment Canada's Prairie and Northern web site at: http://www.pnr-rpn.ec.gc.ca

Environment Canada's latest weather information can be obtained by listening to local radio and television weather reports, on the web at http://www.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca, or by listening to Weatheradio.

For more information contact:

Dan Kulak
Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
Environment Canada
(780) 951-8607
Email: Dan.Kulak@ec.gc.ca

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