CSA R103:23

Preface

This is the first edition of CSA R103, Protocols for sharing automated hydrometeorological monitoring stations data and metadata. CSA Group has been commissioned to develop four national standards focusing on data collected by hydrometeorological monitoring stations and descriptive data about the stations. The standards are for a) the collection and public dissemination of metadata for hydrometeorological monitoring stations; b) siting, design, and operations of hydrometeorological monitoring stations; c) a data quality rating system; and d) the exchange of hydrometeorological datasets across information systems. These standards will promote the standardization of methods, procedures, techniques, and practices used for collecting hydrometeorological data and related information across Canada. Standardization and improved best practices will help make more hydrometeorological observations become more easily accessible to a larger and better-informed audience. The availability of standardized sets of metadata, and through a single portal, also helps gain access to information required for homogenizing data, improving asset management, and optimizing monitoring networks. This Standard was prepared by the Subcommittee on Protocols for Sharing Hydrometeorological Monitoring Stations Data and Metadata, under the jurisdiction of the Technical Committee on Weather Stations and the Strategic Steering Committee on Environment and Business Excellence, and has been formally approved by the Technical Committee. This Standard has been developed in compliance with Standards Council of Canada requirements for National Standards of Canada. It has been published as a National Standard of Canada by CSA Group.

Scope

1.1 Overview This Standard provides requirements and recommendations for the sharing of data collected at hydrometeorological monitoring stations, and considers the use of equipment and software for doing so. The Standard includes consideration, and any requirements or recommendations thereof, of the following elements: a) the maturity of related networks; b) existing or planned data sharing policies and agreements; c) reporting formats; d) geospatial and temporal referencing; e) data validation; f) data transparency; g) data transfer and interchange; h) flagging of data, including estimated, aggregated, and unchecked data; and i) intellectual property of shared data. This Standard does not cover the collection and presentation of hydrometeorological data.

1.2 Terminology In this Standard, “shall” is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the Standard; “should” is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and “may” is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard. Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material. Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements. Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.