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NAV CANADA (NC) provided Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) with automated minutely weather observations from six select AWOS stations (i.e. airport locations) in southern Ontario as an experimental, proof-of-concept program in support of the 2015 Games. The minutely data were at a higher temporal frequency than the hourly observations that are normally provided (sub-hourly weather specials, as required). The minutely data from these stations were considered raw and unofficial; observations can only be considered official after NC data processing and transmission to ECCC is in a specific format and fashion (as they are for hourly observations).

The high spatial and temporal resolution network was comprised of new automated land- and marine-based weather stations, and additional experimental monitoring platforms. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) designed the Mesonet to monitor weather at the venues, while providing close tracking of southern Ontario lake breezes, which can be associated with severe weather initiation and high air pollutant concentrations. To track the lake breeze, existing land and marine monitoring capacity was identified and expanded to define the Mesonet. The Games hosted a number of open-water events in the inner harbour and south of the Toronto Islands, an area where the competition or logistics could be affected by thunderstorms, severe weather or heat stress.

On-going monitoring of the total column ozone and spectral ultraviolet radiation (UV) in Canada is carried out by the Canadian Brewer Spectrophotometer Network (CBSN). The data are used for periodic assessment of the state of the ozone layer, satellite data validation, and in forecasting ECCC’s UV Index. The UV Index values are derived from spectral UV measurements. All locations make total column ozone and spectral UV measurements using Brewer spectrophotometers.

Environment and Climate Change Canada added 40 compact stations, 10 ATMOS stations and 3 standard automated MSC Auto8 stations to the existing networks to form a high-resolution monitoring system across southern Ontario known as the Mesonet. These stations provided both high-density spacing and high-frequency minute-by-minute observations. Standard meteorological variables were reported—atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction, relative humidity, temperature and precipitation amounts—as well as a new element recorded by a black globe thermometer, used in the evaluation of heat stress on the human body. The new automated surface weather stations were configured to report every minute, a sharp departure from the standard hourly reporting.

The Canadian Brewer Spectrophotometer Network (CBSN) monitors the total thickness of the ozone layer (known as total column ozone) and ultraviolet (UV) radiation at selected monitoring locations across Canada. The objectives of the network are to provide long-term stratospheric ozone data for periodic assessment of the state of ozone layer; use the data for validating satellite ozone data (total ozone and UV); and provide long-term data of spectral UV for biological effect studies (e.g., vitamin D production), ozone data for Environment Canada UV index forecasts, and data for studying current and emerging issues such as climate change (stratosphere).

The Pan and Parapan American Games are a regional international summer sporting event, staged every 4 years in the year prior to the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. The 2015 Games were awarded to Canada on November 6, 2009, by the Pan American Sports Organization. The XVII Pan American Games and the V Parapan American Games were held in Toronto, Canada, from July 10–26, 2015, and from August 7–15, 2015, respectively. Canada welcomed the 40 other countries/nations of the Americas to Toronto and the municipalities of the Greater Golden Horseshoe Area in Ontario where the summer sports events of the 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games were hosted.

Mesoscale boundaries have an important influence on mesoscale weather. They can trigger, enhance or inhibit convections and severe weather. They are also indicators of shifts in wind speed and direction, temperature and relative humidity, and can affect air quality and heat indices. Around the Great Lakes, it has been observed that mesoscale boundaries are prevalent and can have complex interactions between each other.

The Pan and Parapan American Games are a regional international summer sporting event, staged every 4 years in the year prior to the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. The 2015 Games were awarded to Canada on November 6, 2009, by the Pan American Sports Organization. The XVII Pan American Games and the V Parapan American Games were held in Toronto, Canada, from July 10–26, 2015, and from August 7–15, 2015, respectively. Canada welcomed the 40 other countries/nations of the Americas to Toronto and the municipalities of the Greater Golden Horseshoe Area in Ontario where the summer sports events of the 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games were hosted.

The following tables provide statistical information about the Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) penalties; zero-rated penalties are not included.