Language selection

Government of Canada / Gouvernement du Canada

Search

Weather shortcuts

Astronomy

This web site gives access to up-to-date meteorological forecasts in order to provide astronomers with information to plan their sky observation activities. The forecasts cover North America and are produced by the numerical weather prediction models that execute at the Canadian Meteorological Centre.The following forecast parameters are available in real time: forecasts of cloud, surface winds, temperatures and humidity as well as more specific parameters such as seeing forecasts and sky transparency.

Cloud forecast
Cloud forecasts at hourly intervals up to 84 hours.These forecasts can be interpreted in the same way as satellite pictures in the visible spectrum.

Seeing forecast
Seeing forecasts at 3-hourly intervals up to 84 hours. The "seeing" is the term used in astronomy to quantify the steadiness or the turbulence of the atmosphere. The detailed observation of planets, planetary nebulae or any celestial object requires excellent seeing conditions.

Sky transparency forecast
Sky transparency forecast at hourly intervals up to 84 hours.Observing deep sky objects such as faint galaxies and nebulae requires excellent sky transparency. Astronomers evaluate sky transparency based on the magnitude of the faintest star visible to the unaided eye. Sky transparency varies with airmass type.

Weather forecast near the ground
Wind, temperature and humidity forecasts near the ground surface for the next 84 hours.

Weather shortcuts


How to use
  • Add to shortcuts
    • Go to the desired page on the site, open the Weather shortcuts menu and click on the "Add to shortcuts" button
    • Page name will display in the "Add this page" window, the name can be changed by highlighting the text and entering the desired name
    • Click on the "Save" button to add the link to the list
    • Click on the "X" button to close the panel
  • Delete a link
    • Click on the "Organize shortcuts" button
    • Select the link to delete
    • Click on the "Delete" button to remove the link from the list
    • Click on the "Close" button to save the change
  • Move a link up/down the list
    • Click on the "Organize shortcuts" button
    • Click and hold the link and move to new location in the list
    • Click on the "Close" button to save the change
  • Rename a link
    • Click on the "Organize shortcuts" button
    • Select the link to rename
    • Click on the "Rename" button and change the link name
    • Click the enter or tab key
    • Click on the "Close" button to save the change
  • Keyboard navigation
    • Use the Tab key to move to a button or link
    • Use the Enter key to click on buttons or links
    • Organize shortcuts navigation
      • Use the ↑ Up key to select the link above. If none are selected, it will select the first link.
      • Use the ↓ Down key to select the link below. If none are selected, it will select the last link.
      • Use the Page Up key to move a selection up in the list.
      • Use the Page Down key to move a selection down in the list.
  • Restore default list

    Warning: Clicking on the button below will remove all your customized links.

Customized Weather shortcuts

Save your customized list as a bookmark.

Copy/paste or click on the link below then when the page displays, you can bookmark the page using the web browser. Bookmarking your customized list will allow you to access it even if the local storage on your device is erased.

Features

Canada's 10 most impactful weather stories of 2024

Find out which weather events made the list

Feedbackabout this web site
Date modified: