Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Customized Spatial Climate Models for North America

Daniel W. McKenney Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada

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Michael F. Hutchinson Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

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Pia Papadopol Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada

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Kevin Lawrence Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada

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John Pedlar Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada

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Kathy Campbell Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada

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Ewa Milewska Climate Research Division, Environment Canada, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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Ron F. Hopkinson Custom Climate Services, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

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David Price Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

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Tim Owen NOAA/National Climatic Data Center, Asheville, North Carolina

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Online Publication:
01 Dec 2011
Print Publication:
01 Dec 2011
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/2011BAMS3132.1
Page(s):
1611–1622
Full access

Over the past two decades, researchers at Natural Resources Canada's Canadian Forest Service, in collaboration with the Australian National University (ANU), Environment Canada (EC), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), have made a concerted effort to produce spatial climate products (i.e., spatial models and grids) covering both Canada and the United States for a wide variety of climate variables and time steps (from monthly to daily), and across a range of spatial resolutions. Here we outline the method used to generate the spatial models, detail the array of products available and how they may be accessed, briefly describe some of the usage and impact of the models, and discuss anticipated further developments. Our initial motivation in developing these models was to support forestry-related applications. They have since been utilized by a wider range of agencies and researchers. This article is intended to further raise awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of these climate models and to facilitate their wider application.

Over the past two decades, researchers at Natural Resources Canada's Canadian Forest Service, in collaboration with the Australian National University (ANU), Environment Canada (EC), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), have made a concerted effort to produce spatial climate products (i.e., spatial models and grids) covering both Canada and the United States for a wide variety of climate variables and time steps (from monthly to daily), and across a range of spatial resolutions. Here we outline the method used to generate the spatial models, detail the array of products available and how they may be accessed, briefly describe some of the usage and impact of the models, and discuss anticipated further developments. Our initial motivation in developing these models was to support forestry-related applications. They have since been utilized by a wider range of agencies and researchers. This article is intended to further raise awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of these climate models and to facilitate their wider application.

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