NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - St. Lawrence Valley, Quebec 18th and 19th Century Composite Daily Temperature Data

Climatological and meteorological observations in Canada begin in the first half of the 18th century. Continuous daily observations of the weather and climate for the province of Quebec start in the late 18th century. Estimates of daily minimum and maximum temperatures from historical fixed hour observations are provided from regression models based on hourly data from the modern period. Observations of temperature from different locations and observers are compared and regressions models are used to compile a single series of daily minimum and maximum temperatures extending back to 1742, with nearly continuous observations from 1798. Mean, absolute minimum and maximum values suggest considerable variability in the climate over the past two centuries. Based on a variety of climate indicators, exceptionally warm years include 1808, 1848, 1870, 1953 and 1998, while cold years include 1809, 1816, 1818, 1875 and 1904. Analysis of frost days and growing season length suggest a reduction in cold temperatures over past 200 years, while the incidence of cold spells and heat waves has decreased.

加拿大的气候与气象观测始于18世纪上半叶。魁北克省的天气与气候连续逐日观测则始于18世纪晚期。本数据集基于现代时段的逐时观测数据构建回归模型，据此利用历史定时观测资料估算逐日最低、最高气温。研究人员对不同站点、不同观测者获取的气温观测数据进行比对，通过回归模型整合出一套可追溯至1742年的逐日最低、最高气温序列，自1798年起观测序列近乎连续。平均气温、绝对最高与最低气温数据显示，过去两个世纪间该地区气候存在显著波动。基于多类气候指标，异常暖年包括1808、1848、1870、1953与1998年，异常冷年则涵盖1809、1816、1818、1875与1904年。对霜日数与生长季长度的分析表明，过去200年间低温事件有所减少，而寒潮与热浪的发生频次亦呈下降趋势。