MetNotes

MetNotes are short notes written by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) meteorologists that provide additional context to weather forecasts. These brief messages may include possible impacts due to weather, an early heads-up on severe weather, or information to prepare people attending outdoor events affected by weather.

Why has ECCC introduced MetNotes?

Feedback has indicated that Canadians want contextual information that helps explain better how the weather may affect their daily lives.

Where do I find MetNotes?

MetNotes are found on our weather website and on the WeatherCAN app. 

On our weather website, when MetNotes are issued, you can find them on your local forecast page in the forecast section, below the forecast icons, and above the text forecasts. MetNotes will also appear above the Hourly Forecast table when the Hourly Forecast link is accessed.

On the WeatherCan app, when MetNotes are issued, they will appear at the bottom of the app screen on both Android and iOS devices. MetNotes will appear on the tab or tabs (Now, Hourly, 7 Day) that correspond to the valid period. MetNotes will always appear at the bottom of the 7 Day tab.  

Will I get a notification of a MetNote?

Active MetNotes will appear in the MetNote “sheet” at the bottom of the screen on the WeatherCAN app, but will not trigger any notification on mobile devices. They are not warnings, they are additional information related to the forecast.

Why can’t I find a MetNote?

MetNotes are only posted when an ECCC forecaster determines value-added, impact or other contextual information should be added to the standard forecast. They are also only posted for a specified time period and will disappear when that time period is over.

When are MetNotes issued?

MetNotes are issued any time ECCC meteorologists think that additional contextual information will improve public understanding of the forecast and the potential impacts of weather.

How do I know when a MetNote is valid?

At the top of the MetNote is the valid time. This can range from one hour or for up to one week. If the valid time indicates that it is valid “Now”, it means that the meteorologist is speaking about something that is happening right now and will end sometime in the future. If the valid time is in the future, it means that the conditions that the comment speaks about will happen in the future between the indicated hours.