The Canadian Surface Reanalysis (CaSR) v3.2 precipitation dataset: a 45-year high-resolution analysis for North America (1980–2024)

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Abstract
The Canadian Surface Reanalysis (CaSR) includes an offline, high-resolution gridded total precipitation reanalysis designed to provide accurate estimates across North America. This product, referred to as CaPA-24h, builds on the Canadian Precipitation Analysis (CaPA) system of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). It combines a dense network of daily surface observations with a background field from the CaSR dynamical component, using updated quality-control and assimilation procedures to filter spurious observations. This study evaluates the CaPA-24h fields produced in CaSR v3.2, together with their background field, and compares them with the previous version (v2.1) as well as with two independent datasets, ERA5-Land and PRISM. Results show substantial improvements in v3.2, particularly in data-sparse regions, with an enhanced representation of precipitation events of different intensities. Compared to ERA5-Land, CaPA-24h v3.2 provides more accurate seasonal and regional precipitation patterns, while evaluations against PRISM confirm this improved performance. However, biases persist in southern and western mountainous areas, especially for orographic precipitation. A first-time assessment of the hourly disaggregated product reveals limitations in the diurnal cycle representation, indicating the need for refined disaggregation methods and background field generation. Overall, CaPA-24h v3.2 delivers a reliable and well-established gridded precipitation dataset, offering a valuable resource for hydrological, climatological, and impact studies across North America.
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