A New Database of High Arctic Climate Data from the Polar Continental Shelf Project Archives

A set of nonstandard climate data from the Canadian High Arctic is made available. This consists of 20 yr (1974-93) of surface-based climate observations gathered at short-term field research camps supported by the Polar Continental Shelf Project, a Canadian federal agency responsible for Arctic research support. These data were gathered in the spring and summer months from locations throughout the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Twice-daily observations, totaling 58 000 individual records, along with associated station information, were compiled. Observed climatic elements include dry-bulb temperature, wind speed and direction, and total cloud cover. These data are useful for research into local-scale climates; support for site-specific, nonclimate studies; corroborating established regional synoptic patterns; and calibration of satellite temperature observations.