Recent trends in precipitation in Eastern Canada: Research note

Abstract The changes in normal precipitation amounts from 1931–60 to 1951–80 are examined for stations in Eastern Canada. The area covered comprises the Maritime Provinces and those parts of Ontario and Quebec south of a line approximately 200 km north of Lakes Erie and Ontario and the St Lawrence River. Changes are computed for each of the four seasons and for the entire year. On the whole, precipitation has increased, especially in winter and summer. However, there is considerable variation throughout the area, with precipitation decreasing in some regions. General circulation models that simulate the effect of doubling atmospheric CO2 also show an increase in precipitation.