Improved Processes and Parameterization for Prediction in Cold Regions (2006–2011) is a research network devoted to improving understanding of cold regions hydrometeorology. The project has conducted wide-ranging studies of surface water and weather systems, based on field investigations in Canada's Rocky Mountains and the Western Arctic, with the aim of enhancing the capabilities of a suite of operational software models.

The final meeting of the Project was held in Saskatoon in September. Environment Canada’s Dr. Philip Marsh reported on cold regions hydrological studies in the Western Canadian Arctic and illustrated how these studies address Environment Canada issues related to regulation and northern development. Dr. Chris Spence outlined advances in understanding runoff in cold regions, and Dr. Raoul Granger presented new methods for calculating lake evaporation for hourly and daily time steps, demonstrating the significance of these in the application of hydrological and meteorological models. These hydrological studies address Environment Canada issues related to understanding Canadian water resources, facilitate sustainable economic development in northern Canada, and improve Environment Canada’s hydrological and land surface models CLASS and MESH.

Contacts:  Philip Marsh, 306-975-5752, philip.marsh@ec.gc.ca; Chris Spence, 306-975-6907, chris.spence@ec.gc.ca; Raoul Granger, 306-975-5758, raoul.granger@ec.gc.ca | Aquatic Ecosystem Impacts Research Division