LiDAR data was collected using LSI's proprietary Helix LiDAR system - Novatel GPS and SPANS inertial unit, coupled to a Riegl Q560 digital waveform ranging laser and mounted in a Cessna 185 aircraft. LiDAR was collected at 600m AGL, and a ground speed of 160km/h. Original data was in an ASCII XYZ coordinate format.

The wind speed layer shows the modeled wind speed [m/s] at a height of 100 m above ground level, at each grid point, averaged over the three year period from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2010. Values are presented in bins with ranges of 0.5 m/s each. Further details including data at different heights, and for individual years, can be obtained by clicking on the dot representing the grid point location.

The wind power density layer shows the modeled wind power density [W/m2] at a height of 100 m above ground level, at each grid point, averaged over the three year period from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2010. Values are presented in bins with ranges of 0.5 W/m2 each. Further details including data at different heights, and for individual years, can be obtained by clicking on the dot representing the grid point location.

The maximum temperature layer shows the modeled maximum temperature [°C] at a height of 100 m above ground level, at each grid point, over the three year period from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2010. Values are presented in bins with ranges of 1.5 °C each. Further details including data for individual years can be obtained by clicking on the dot representing the grid point location.

Offshore wind represents a potentially significant source of low-carbon energy for Canada, and ensuring that relevant, high-quality data and scientifically sound analyses are brought forward into decision-making processes will increase the chances of success for any future deployment of offshore wind in Canada. To support this objective, CanmetENERGY-Ottawa (CE-O), a federal laboratory within Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), completed a preliminary analysis of relevant considerations for offshore wind, with an initial focus on Atlantic Canada. To conduct the analysis, CE-O used geographic information system (GIS) software and methods and engaged with multiple federal government departments to acquire relevant data and obtain insights from subject matter experts on the appropriate use of these data in the context of the analysis. The purpose of this work is to support the identification of candidate regions within Atlantic Canada that could become designated offshore wind energy areas in the future.The study area for the analysis included the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the western and southern coasts of the island of Newfoundland, and the coastal waters south of Nova Scotia. Twelve input data layers representing various geophysical, ecological, and ocean use considerations were incorporated as part of a multi-criteria analysis (MCA) approach to evaluate the effects of multiple inputs within a consistent framework. Six scenarios were developed which allow for visualization of a range of outcomes according to the influence weighting applied to the different input layers and the suitability scoring applied within each layer.This preliminary assessment resulted in the identification of several areas which could be candidates for future designated offshore wind areas, including the areas of the Gulf of St. Lawrence north of Prince Edward Island and west of the island of Newfoundland, and areas surrounding Sable Island. This study is subject to several limitations, namely missing and incomplete data, lack of emphasis on temporal and cumulative effects, and the inherent subjectivity of the scoring scheme applied. Further work is necessary to address data gaps and take ecosystem wide impacts into account before deployment of offshore wind projects in Canada’s coastal waters. Despite these limitations, this study and the data compiled in its preparation can aid in identifying promising locations for further review.A description of the methodology used to undertake this study is contained in the accompanying report, available at the following link: https://doi.org/10.4095/331855. This report provides in depth detail into how these data layers were compiled and details any analysis that was done on the data to produce the final data layers in this package.

The minimum temperature layer shows the modeled minimum temperature [°C] at a height of 100 m above ground level, at each grid point, over the three year period from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2010. Values are presented in bins with ranges of 1.5 °C each. Further details including data for individual years can be obtained by clicking on the dot representing the grid point location.

Seasonal and annual multi-model ensembles of projected change (also known as anomalies) in surface wind speed based on an ensemble of twenty-nine Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) global climate models are available for 1900-2100. Projected change in wind speed is with respect to the reference period of 1986-2005 and expressed as a percentage (%). The 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 95th percentiles of the ensemble of wind speed change are available for the historical time period, 1900-2005, and for emission scenarios, RCP2.6, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, for 2006-2100. Twenty-year average changes in wind speed (%) for four time periods (2021-2040; 2041-2060; 2061-2080; 2081-2100), with respect to the reference period of 1986-2005, for RCP2.6, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 are also available in a range of formats. The median projected change across the ensemble of CMIP5 climate models is provided. Note: Projections among climate models can vary because of differences in their underlying representation of earth system processes. Thus, the use of a multi-model ensemble approach has been demonstrated in recent scientific literature to likely provide better projected climate change information.

CANGRD is a set of Canadian gridded annual, seasonal, and monthly temperature and precipitation anomalies, which were interpolated from stations in the Adjusted and Homogenized Canadian Climate Data (AHCCD); it is used to produce the Climate Trends and Variations Bulletin (CTVB).

The Homogenized Surface Wind Speed data consist of monthly, seasonal and annual means of hourly wind speed (kilometres per hour) at standard 10 metre level for 156 locations in Canada. Homogenized climate data incorporate adjustments (derived from statistical procedures) to the original station data to account for discontinuities from non-climatic factors, such as instrument changes or station relocation. The time periods of the data vary by location, with the oldest data available from 1953 at some stations to the most recent update in 2014. Data availability over most of the Canadian Arctic is restricted to 1953 to present. The data will continue to be updated every few years (as time permits).

Study Area defined in the Agreement to Conduct a Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Nova Scotia. The study area was created by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada in collaboration with Natural Resources Canada and the province of Nova Scotia.