This dataset includes five depth-attenuated relative wave exposure index layers in raster format. Relative Exposure Index (REI) values are calculated based on effective fetch (derived from fetch values) combined with modelled wind data. The output REI layers are attenuated by depth, resulting in greater values in shallow, nearshore areas (Bekkby et al. 2008). The cell values represent an estimate of wave exposure at bottom depth normalized between regions from 0 (protected) to 1 (exposed). The objective of this dataset is to provide an estimate of wave exposure at bottom depth, primarily for use in species distribution modelling.   Each single-band raster corresponds to a marine region, which generally coincide with the following layers from the Species Distribution Modelling Boundaries (https://www.gis-hub.ca/dataset/sdm-boundaries) dataset: Nearshore_HG, Nearshore_NCC, Nearshore_QCS, Nearshore_QCS, and Shelf_SalishSea. These layers extend to 50 m depth and up to 5 km from shore. Tabular data (csv files) are also included as part of the data package. These data are the calculated Relative Exposure Index (REI) values with fields for position information. The fetch values from gridded nearshore fetch (https://gis-hub.ca/dataset/gridded-nearshore-fetch) are used as a source dataset and the locations in the REI are the same as the gridded fetch.

Winds can significantly influence crop growth and yield mainly due to mechanical damage of plant vegetative and reproductive organs, an imbalance of plant-soil-atmosphere water relationships such as evapotranspiration, and pest and disease distributions in agricultural fields. The maximum wind speed and the number of strong wind days over the forecast period represent short term and extended strong wind events respectively. Agriculture is an important primary production sector in Canada. Agricultural production, profitability, sustainability and food security depend on many agrometeorological factors. Extreme weather events in Canada, such as drought, floods, heat waves, frosts and high intensity storms, have the ability to significantly impact field crop production. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) have together developed a suite of extreme agrometeorological indices based on four main categories of weather factors: temperature, precipitation, heat, and wind. The extreme weather indices are intended as short-term prediction tools and generated using ECCC’s medium range forecasts to create a weekly index product on a daily basis.

The probability of maximum wind above 50km/h (mdws50_prob). Week 1 and week 2 forecasted probability is available daily from September 1 to August 31. Week 3 and week 4 forecasted probability is available weekly (Thursday) from September 1 to August 31. Winds can significantly influence crop growth and yield mainly due to mechanical damage of plant vegetative and reproductive organs, an imbalance of plant-soil-atmosphere water relationships, and pest and disease distributions in agricultural fields. The maximum wind speed and the number of strong wind days over the forecast period represent short term and extended strong wind events respectively. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) have together developed a suite of extreme agrometeorological indices based on four main categories of weather factors: temperature, precipitation, heat, and wind. The extreme weather indices are intended as short-term prediction tools and generated using ECCC’s medium range forecasts to create a weekly index product on a daily and weekly basis.

The probability of maximum wind above 70km/h (mdws70_prob). Week 1 and week 2 forecasted probability is available daily from September 1 to August 31. Week 3 and week 4 forecasted probability is available weekly (Thursday) from September 1 to August 31. Winds can significantly influence crop growth and yield mainly due to mechanical damage of plant vegetative and reproductive organs, an imbalance of plant-soil-atmosphere water relationships, and pest and disease distributions in agricultural fields. The maximum wind speed and the number of strong wind days over the forecast period represent short term and extended strong wind events respectively. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) have together developed a suite of extreme agrometeorological indices based on four main categories of weather factors: temperature, precipitation, heat, and wind. The extreme weather indices are intended as short-term prediction tools and generated using ECCC’s medium range forecasts to create a weekly index product on a daily and weekly basis.

The number of days during the forecast period with an average wind speed greater than 30 km/h (nswd_prob). Week 1 and week 2 forecasted probability is available daily from September 1 to August 31. Week 3 and week 4 forecasted probability is available weekly (Thursday) from September 1 to August 31. Winds can significantly influence crop growth and yield mainly due to mechanical damage of plant vegetative and reproductive organs, an imbalance of plant-soil-atmosphere water relationships, and pest and disease distributions in agricultural fields. The maximum wind speed and the number of strong wind days over the forecast period represent short term and extended strong wind events respectively. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) have together developed a suite of extreme agrometeorological indices based on four main categories of weather factors: temperature, precipitation, heat, and wind. The extreme weather indices are intended as short-term prediction tools and generated using ECCC’s medium range forecasts to create a weekly index product on a daily and weekly basis.

The number of days during the forecast period with an average wind speed greater than 30 km/h and a maximum temperature above 30°C (drying). Week 1 and week 2 forecasted index is available daily from September 1 to August 31. Week 3 and week 4 forecasted index is available weekly (Thursday) from September 1 to August 31. Winds can significantly influence crop growth and yield mainly due to mechanical damage of plant vegetative and reproductive organs, an imbalance of plant-soil-atmosphere water relationships, and pest and disease distributions in agricultural fields. The maximum wind speed and the number of strong wind days over the forecast period represent short term and extended strong wind events respectively. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) have together developed a suite of extreme agrometeorological indices based on four main categories of weather factors: temperature, precipitation, heat, and wind. The extreme weather indices are intended as short-term prediction tools and generated using ECCC’s medium range forecasts to create a weekly index product on a daily and weekly basis.

The number of days during the forecast period with an average wind speed greater than 30 km/h (nswd). Week 1 and week 2 forecasted index is available daily from September 1 to August 31. Week 3 and week 4 forecasted index is available weekly (Thursday) from September 1 to August 31. Winds can significantly influence crop growth and yield mainly due to mechanical damage of plant vegetative and reproductive organs, an imbalance of plant-soil-atmosphere water relationships, and pest and disease distributions in agricultural fields. The maximum wind speed and the number of strong wind days over the forecast period represent short term and extended strong wind events respectively. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) have together developed a suite of extreme agrometeorological indices based on four main categories of weather factors: temperature, precipitation, heat, and wind. The extreme weather indices are intended as short-term prediction tools and generated using ECCC’s medium range forecasts to create a weekly index product on a daily and weekly basis.

The probability of the drying days occurring during the forecast period with an average wind speed greater than 30 km/h and a maximum temperature above 30°C (drying_prob). Week 1 and week 2 forecasted probability is available daily from September 1 to August 31. Week 3 and week 4 forecasted probability is available weekly (Thursday) from September 1 to August 31. Winds can significantly influence crop growth and yield mainly due to mechanical damage of plant vegetative and reproductive organs, an imbalance of plant-soil-atmosphere water relationships, and pest and disease distributions in agricultural fields. The maximum wind speed and the number of strong wind days over the forecast period represent short term and extended strong wind events respectively. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) have together developed a suite of extreme agrometeorological indices based on four main categories of weather factors: temperature, precipitation, heat, and wind. The extreme weather indices are intended as short-term prediction tools and generated using ECCC’s medium range forecasts to create a weekly index product on a daily and weekly basis.

Probability of maximum wind above 90km/h (mdws90_prob). Week 1 and week 2 forecasted probability is available daily from September 1 to August 31. Week 3 and week 4 forecasted probability is available weekly (Thursday) from September 1 to August 31. Winds can significantly influence crop growth and yield mainly due to mechanical damage of plant vegetative and reproductive organs, an imbalance of plant-soil-atmosphere water relationships, and pest and disease distributions in agricultural fields. The maximum wind speed and the number of strong wind days over the forecast period represent short term and extended strong wind events respectively. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) have together developed a suite of extreme agrometeorological indices based on four main categories of weather factors: temperature, precipitation, heat, and wind. The extreme weather indices are intended as short-term prediction tools and generated using ECCC’s medium range forecasts to create a weekly index product on a daily and weekly basis.

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.