Environmental Thematic Maps and Graphics:
Average annual precipitation, by ecoprovince, 1979 to 2016
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Description for Map
The title of this map is “Average annual precipitation, by ecoprovince, 1979 to 2016.” This map provides a visual representation of average annual precipitation across Canada.
On the page, there is one large map of Canada, a legend to the upper right and a scale bar below. The map delineates ecoprovinces with a thin black boundary line and ecoprovinces are labeled with a code. Fine black dashed lines show provincial and territorial boundaries. Below the map, ecoprovince codes and their corresponding names are listed for reference.
The map shows varying amounts of annual precipitation symbolized in different shades of blue. The darker the blue the higher the average annual precipitation.
The unit of measurement is millimetres (mm). The legend contains five categories: 1,380 to 2,100 (navy blue), 790 to less than 1,380 (dark blue), 510 to less than 790 (blue), 270 to less than 510 (light blue) and 80 to less than 270 (white).
The map shows that the east and west coasts receive the most precipitation. The Prairie provinces have relatively low average annual precipitation, while the far North receives very little precipitation.
Note: To convert precipitation measured in depth in mm to a volume per area in m3/m2, divide by 1000.
Sources:
Wang, S., Y. Yang, Y. Luo and A. Rivera, 2013, “Spatial and seasonal variations in evapotranspiration over Canada's landmass," Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, Vol. 17, no. 9, pp. 3561-3575, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-17-3561-2013 (accessed December 1, 2020);
Wang, S., et al., 2014, “A national-scale assessment of long-term water budget closures for Canada’s watersheds,” Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, Vol. 119, pp. 8712–8725, https://doi.org/10.1002/2014JD021951 (accessed February 1, 2021).
Colour | Average precipitation (mm) |
---|---|
Navy blue | 1,380 to 2,100 |
Dark blue | 790 to less than 1,380 |
Blue | 510 to less than 790 |
Light blue | 270 to less than 510 |
White | 80 to less than 270 |
Shape | Boundary |
Dashed line | Province/territory |
Black outline | Ecoprovince |
Ecoprovince | Code | mm |
---|---|---|
Northern Arctic Cordillera | 1.1 | 207.3 |
Southern Arctic Cordillera | 1.2 | 402.6 |
Sverdrup Islands | 2.1 | 78.5 |
Ellesmere Basin | 2.2 | 142.3 |
Victoria Lowlands | 2.3 | 115.3 |
Parry Channel Plateau | 2.4 | 173.7 |
Boothia–Foxe Shield | 2.5 | 271.3 |
Baffin Uplands | 2.6 | 307.6 |
Foxe–Boothia Lowlands | 2.7 | 233.3 |
Amundsen Lowlands | 3.1 | 200.1 |
Keewatin Lowlands | 3.2 | 244.4 |
Ungava–Belcher | 3.3 | 489.7 |
Mackenzie Foothills | 4.1 | 351.0 |
Great Bear Lowlands | 4.2 | 268.3 |
Hay–Slave Lowlands | 4.3 | 399.2 |
Western Taiga Shield | 5.1 | 345.7 |
Eastern Taiga | 5.2 | 718.6 |
Labrador Uplands | 5.3 | 906.4 |
Whale River Lowland | 5.4 | 671.7 |
Western Boreal Shield | 6.1 | 537.6 |
Mid-Boreal Shield | 6.2 | 794.7 |
Eastern Boreal Shield | 6.3 | 1,029.9 |
Newfoundland | 6.4 | 1,339.1 |
Lake of the Woods | 6.5 | 700.7 |
Southern Boreal Shield | 6.6 | 998.8 |
Appalachian–Acadian Highlands | 7.1 | 1,160.7 |
Northumberland Lowlands | 7.2 | 1,204.8 |
Fundy Uplands | 7.3 | 1,382.1 |
Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Lowlands | 8.1 | 1,038.8 |
Huron–Erie Plains | 8.2 | 937.8 |
Boreal Foothills | 9.1 | 533.0 |
Central Boreal Plains | 9.2 | 446.4 |
Eastern Boreal Plains | 9.3 | 509.5 |
Eastern Prairies | 10.1 | 535.5 |
Parkland Prairies | 10.2 | 457.0 |
Central Grassland | 10.3 | 373.3 |
Northern Yukon Mountains | 11.1 | 161.1 |
Old Crow–Eagle Plains | 11.2 | 144.6 |
Ogilvie Mountains | 11.3 | 166.2 |
Mackenzie–Selwyn Mountains | 11.4 | 309.5 |
Wrangel Mountains | 12.1 | 640.0 |
Northern Boreal Cordillera | 12.2 | 314.2 |
Southern Boreal Cordillera | 12.3 | 512.8 |
Western Boreal Cordillera | 12.4 | 217.1 |
Georgia Depression | 13.1 | 2,036.5 |
Southern Coastal Mountains | 13.2 | 1,947.0 |
Northern Coastal Mountains | 13.3 | 1,089.9 |
Northern Montane Cordillera | 14.1 | 618.1 |
Central Montane Cordillera | 14.2 | 622.9 |
Southern Montane Cordillera | 14.3 | 675.1 |
Columbia Montane Cordillera | 14.4 | 964.6 |
Hudson Bay Coastal Plains | 15.1 | 502.2 |
Hudson–James Lowlands | 15.2 | 629.2 |
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