Comparison of two different methods for adjusting Canadian precipitation, snowfall and rainfall data

References:

Mekis, Éva and William D. Hogg, 1999: Rehabilitation And Analysis Of Canadian Daily Precipitation Time Series. Atmosphere-Ocean 37(1) 1999, 53-85.

Metcalfe, J.R., S. Ishida and B.E. Goodison, 1994: A corrected precipitation archive for the Northwest Territories. Environment Canada - Mackenzie Basin Impact Study, Interim Report #2, 110-117.

Groisman, P.Y. 1998. National Climatic Data Center Data Documentation for TD-9816, Canadian Monthly Precipitation. National Climatic Data Center 151 Patton Ave., Asheville, NC. pp. 21,

Figure 1. Distribution of the Type B installation year for the rehabilitated 495 precipitation locations

Comment 1. : Decision was made that for century long climate change detection purposes the snow ruler data will be used to avoid the inhomogeneities -(introduced by the installation of the Nipher gauges) within and between the stations.

Metadata requirements for Method 2:

• date of any relocation, installation of all rain gauges, introduction date of 6 hourly measurement program, introduction date of hourly weather type measurement program;
• 6 hourly total precipitation (rainfall and/or snowfall water equivalent) data;
• hourly weather type data (rain, rain showers, drizzle, freezing rain, freezing drizzle, ice crystal, snow, snow grains, etc.);
• further metadata information required for determination of fresh snowfall density adjustment factor.