Climate Reference Station

What is the Climate Reference Station?

The Saskatchewan Research Council’s Climate Reference Station (SRC CRS) at Saskatoon is classified as a principal climatological station with supplementary climatological observations. A reference climatological station’s data are intended for the purpose of determining climatic trends.  This requires long periods (not less than thirty years) of homogeneous records, where man-made environmental changes have been or are expected to remain at a minimum.  Ideally the records should be of sufficient length to enable the identification of secular changes of climate.  At our station, hourly readings are taken of elements which include temperature, precipitation amount, humidity, wind, and atmospheric pressure.  Our supplemental observations include rate of rainfall, soil temperature, bright sunshine and solar radiation. High quality and consistent climatological observations are maintained providing data sets to meet the current concerns of the effects of climatic change and increased variability.

Purpose and Benefits

The purpose of the SRC CRS is to provide a record of observed meteorological elements so that the climate of the area and its changes can be accurately documented and described. Climatological data have assumed new importance as a result of social and environmental issues in which climate is a dominant factor. Climatological information assists in realizing new technological opportunities and social changes.  It is necessary and valuable for  areas such as agriculture, forestry, land use and facility placement, water and energy resources, health and comfort.

The CRS also allows us to:

• evaluate long term climate trends - early warning system for increased frequencies of extreme events such as   drought, floods, etc.;
• determine the impacts of climate events on society, economy, health, and ecosystems - e.g. intense rainfall causing   flooding and property damage, heat stress with its implications for health, West Nile monitoring programme directed   by Saskatchewan Health;
• do value-added research;
• be part of regional, national and global networks in an important agricultural and ecological area;
• facilitate development of additional programs - e.g. air quality, biodiversity, and climate change monitoring; 
• have roles in various programs within SRC including spray drift work, The Boreal Ecosystem - Atmosphere Study   (BOREAS), and collaborative research with the Western College of  Veterinary Medicine and the College of   Agriculture, University of Saskatchewan, for example; and
• provide climate data to governments, universities, insurance agencies, lawyers, agricultural sectors, chemical   companies, schools, building science, construction firms, media, transportation studies, accident studies, wildlife   studies, tourism groups and interested individuals.

History
Data
Tours

An Invitation

We invite you to join our growing list of eminent supporters of the Climate Reference Station.

Along with the satisfaction of knowing you are contributing to maintaining necessary and relevant climatic research for Saskatchewan and Canada, your sponsorship also contributes to public educational programmes.  Over 1200 children from urban and rural schools have had hands-on learning experiences concerning climate and weather by touring the Climate Reference Station or by classroom demonstrations of the various climate instruments.  This educational programme, regarding the measurement of weather and climate, was recognized by the Association of Professional Engineers & Geoscientists of Saskatchewan's (APEGS) Innovators in the School Programme for outstanding commitment to science and education in 2000.  Also, we are very please to offer the monthly weather summaries to the schools at a reduced rate due, in part, to our supporters' ongoing commitment to the station.

As a supporter, your sponsorship will be acknowledged with your company logo prominently displayed at the Climate Reference Stations and on our new sign located next to the popular Meewasin Trail system.  As well, your support will be acknowledged on the monthly summaries and the annual report.  Our clients receive these summaries each month giving you valuable public relations throughout the year.  Our clients include businesses, universities, government agencies, schools and the public.  As a sponsor, you will receive complementary copies of the monthly and annual reports along with copies of the daily precipitation and temperature graphs.  Your sponsorship of the Climate Reference Station is also acknowledged on the web page with your company's logo and web site link.

For more information and inquiries on how to become an eminent SRC Climate Reference Station supporter contact:

Virginia Wittrock
Research Scientist, Climatology
Saskatchewan Research Council
Ph: 306-933-8122
Email: wittrock@src.sk.ca

Dr. Laurier Schramm, SRC President and CEO unveiling the new sign at the June, 2005 CRS open house.

SRC Climate Station Eminent Supporters