Climate Data

Climate change will present a variety of risks and opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador. Having access to up-to-date and relevant climate data is important for decision-making processes in areas as diverse as infrastructure planning, economic development, business investment decisions and preparing for risks to public health. This page brings together a significant amount of climate data and tools that have been developed for Newfoundland and Labrador over the last number of years.

Climate Data Information Portal
The Climate Information Portal is a section of the Provincial Government’s Community Accounts database that includes historical climate data from over 70 Environment Canada weather stations throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, including temperature, wind and precipitation data from as early as 1909.

Road Weather Information System Data
By using the Community Accounts website, individuals can access temperature, wind and gust data from 2006 to 2014 across 32 monitoring stations. Daily data is available for stations across Newfoundland and Labrador.The RWIS data can be viewed on the Community Accounts website at: nl.communityaccounts.ca/climate/rwis/

Intensity-Duration Frequency (IDF)Curves
IDF curves identify the intensity of rainfall events (in millimeters per hour) over a specific duration (ranging from five minutes to 24 hours) and how frequent these rain events are expected to occur (ranging from a one-in-two to a one-in-100 year event). These tools inform the appropriate design standards and management practices for infrastructure. The Provincial Government has compiled and updated IDF curves for 19 locations in the province and developed projections of future extreme precipitation events.

Note: all links below are PDFs and will open in a new window.

IDF Curves – Historical: Extreme Precipitation Projections (GHD, 2015) Extreme Precipitation Projections (MUN, 2018)
Argentia Argentia Argentia
Burgeo Burgeo Burgeo
Comfort Cove Comfort Cove Comfort Cove
Daniel’s Harbour Daniel’s Harbour Daniel’s Harbour
Deer Lake Deer Lake Deer Lake
Gander Gander Gander
LaScie LaScie LaScie
Port aux Basques Port aux Basques Port aux Basques
St. Alban’s St. Alban’s St. Alban’s
St. Anthony St. Anthony St. Anthony
St. John’s – Airport St. John’s – Airport St. John’s – Airport
St. John’s – Ruby Line St. John’s – Ruby Line
St. Lawrence St. Lawrence St. Lawrence
Stephenville Stephenville Stephenville
Churchill Falls Churchill Falls Churchill Falls
Goose Bay Goose Bay Goose Bay
Mary’s Harbour Mary’s Harbour Mary’s Harbour
Nain Nain Nain
Shefferville
Stephenville Stephenville Stephenville
Twillingate
Wabush Wabush Wabush

Temperature Projections
In 2018, the Provincial Government commissioned a Climate Projections Study that identifies how the province’s climate is projected to change by mid- and late century. This study includes temperature projections for 28 locations in the province, as well as Schefferville (Quebec). Specifically, daily mean, minimum and maximum temperatures are available for all seasons, and projections are available for technical concepts, such as heating degree days, cooling degree days, growing degree days, frost days, frost free days, and maximum heat wave duration.

Precipitation Projections
In 2018, the Provincial Government commissioned a Climate Projections Study that identifies how the province’s climate is projected to change by mid- and late century. This study includes precipitation projections for 28 locations in the province, as well as Schefferville (Quebec). Specifically, data is available for daily mean precipitation; mean intensity of precipitation; 90th percentile of precipitation events; precipitation totals for three, five and ten-day periods are provided for all seasons; the number of days with 10mm or more of precipitation; as well as projections for dry spells including maximum number of consecutive dry days; average and median dry spell length; and standard deviation of dry spell length

Flood Alert System Updates
A flood alert was launched by the Provincial Government to help communities prepare for storms, which can help them avoid future high-cost repairs and improve emergency response planning. This system provides daily alerts and forecasts for 45 areas from July to December each year, including projected daily rainfall, flood risk levels, and the time of estimated peak precipitation for that day.

Coastal Change Data
In 2020, the Provincial Government funded the development of a data portal for coast change data (linked above) for municipalities, planners, and other professionals to access up-to-date- information on the implications of sea level rise. This includes case studies of coastal change across the province as well as a user-friendly guidance document on how to use coastal change data. In addition, there are three educational videos to help explain what is coastal change and how it impacts communities in Newfoundland and Labrador. The following videos were provided:

Additional Tools and Resources:

  • Climate Monitoring Report – This study, which was completed in 2012, provided an inventory of climate monitoring capabilities in Newfoundland and Labrador, including which climate stations have been maintained or discontinued, and the type of data being collected.
  • Projected Impacts of Climate Change for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador: 2018 Update – In 2018, the Provincial Government commissioned a study to update the 2013 climate projections, using the latest global climate change scenarios. The update includes both mid- and late century projections (for 2041-2071 and 2071-2100) and data from 28 weather stations across the province for temperature and precipitation. The updated projections use smaller 25×25 kilometre grid sizes, where possible, to predict local changes, providing more detail on anticipated changes at a local level, than using the 50×50 kilometre grid sizes used in the previous study
  • Projected Impacts of Climate Change for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador: 2013 Study – In 2013, the Provincial Government commissioned a Climate Projections Study that identifies how the province’s climate is projected to change by mid-century. As noted above, this study provides temperature and precipitation projections
  • Flood Risk Mapping Studies – Flood risk maps are available for 40 locations in Newfoundland and Labrador. These maps show which areas covered by the maps are prone to over-land flooding, with the most recent maps indicating how flood risk areas will change as a result of climate change.
  • Coastal Erosion Monitoring – Since 2011, the Provincial Government has been monitoring coastal erosion rates throughout the province, with 120 sites currently being monitored. Reports of the findings of this work are released annually. The Geoscience Atlas provides detail on each of these sites.
  • Public Infrastructure Engineering Vulnerability Committee Workshops – In 2014, the Provincial Government hosted a series of workshops attended by over 120 engineers, municipal staff and decision-makers to apply a vulnerability assessment tool to three infrastructure scenarios in Newfoundland and Labrador. The following case studies were produced:

For more information on these resources, please contact the Office of Climate Change at 709-729-1210 or climatechange@gov.nl.ca.