Understanding current weather conditions on weather website

This is a screen shot of a typical current conditions display on Environment Canada's Canada.ca/weather website. A full explanation of all weather observations that are reported is explained in the text below.

This is a screen shot of a typical current conditions display on Environment Canada's weather.gc.ca website. A full explanation of all weather observations that are reported is explained in the text below.
Image details. Click for details.

Illustration showing the current weather conditions, as they are portrayed on Environment Canada's website (Canada.ca/weather). The graphic includes the current weather condition, as well as the pressure, tendency, visibility, temperature, dewpoint, humidity, and wind speed and direction. Wind chill or humidex is added when threshold levels are met.

* In the event a sensor is malfunctioning or out of service for maintenance, the field would be displayed as “not available” (N/A).

Icon

A representative image of the stated Condition.

Temperature

The temperature, in degrees Celsius, to the nearest whole degree.  A conversion to Imperial Units (degrees Fahrenheit) is optional for the entire current conditions display by clicking on the  degree Celsius symbol.

Observed at

Current conditions are provided from the closest or most representative location. At times, there may be no observations representative enough for a specific area on the city weather page selected, and in this case it will be displayed as “Not observed.” The time of the observation is displayed in local time (Daylight Savings Time or Standard Time, as required) and is typically updated shortly past the hour (for the hourly observations). In the event that a special or non-routine observation is available, it is posted with an updated time.

Condition

Representative condition reported at the observing site based on the significance of the phenomena. In the event that there is more than one phenomena occurring at the same time, the most significant of them is then reported.

Environment Canada’s terms to describe Weather Conditions

*Please note: some automated observing stations do not record current sky conditions, displayed as “Not observed,” or the cloud detecting system only measures cloud below a certain height.

Temperature

The latest air temperature observed on the hour of the observation, in degrees Celsius to the nearest 10th  of a degree. Conversion from Celsius to Fahrenheit can be accomplished by clicking on the underlined "°C" symbol next to the large temperature value in the "Current Conditions" box.

Dewpoint

Latest dewpoint temperature observed on the hour of the observation, in degrees Celsius to the nearest 10th of a degree. Conversion from Celsius to Fahrenheit can be accomplished by clicking on the underlined "°C" symbol next to the large temperature value in the "Current Conditions" box.

Humidity

The percentage of humidity or relative humidity observed on the hour of the observation.

Air Pressure

The latest atmospheric pressure reduced to Sea Level, observed on the hour of the observation, in Kilopascals (kPa)

Pressure Tendency

The pressure tendency provided within the "Current Conditions" area is simply the characteristic (rising, falling or steady) of the change in air pressure during the past hour.

Visibility

Where available, this is the greatest distance (expressed in Kilometres) at which a black object of suitable dimensions could be seen and recognized. During hours of darkness, it could also be seen if under the same daylight conditions.  

Wind - Speed in Kilometres per hour (km/h)

The direction from which the wind is blowing from, using geographic cardinal or intercardinal points. A north wind is therefore a wind blowing from the geographic north. The speed is derived from a 2-minute mean or average prior to the time of the observation. In the event a gust is recorded, this is the maximum observed in a 10-minute period prior to the time of the observation.  

Air Quality Health Index

The Air Quality Health Index or "AQHI" is a scale designed to help you understand what the air quality around you means to your health. The AQHI provides a number from 1 to 10+ to indicate the level of health risk associated with local air quality.  The higher the number, the greater the health risk and the need to take precautions.

Wind Chill

Wind Chill is included in the current conditions when temperatures are below zero and wind speeds are greater than 0 km/h.  Only the coldest wind chill value is indicated in the current conditions.

Humidex

The Humidex is included in the current conditions when the Humidex is 21 or higher, the dewpoint temperature is above zero, and the temperature is 20° C or higher. 

Page details

Date modified: