Canada is facing a prolonged spell of harsh winter conditions as a recent winter storm battered Ontario and Quebec, causing chaos on the roads and leaving many residents without electricity. Environment Canada issued yellow and orange weather warnings for millions of people in these provinces as they experienced snow squalls, blowing snow, and freezing rain, exacerbating travel difficulties. The extreme weather conditions have disrupted daily life for many residents, with tens of thousands left without power at one point.
The inclement weather has been relentless across the country, with various weather systems bringing blizzards, cold snaps, and freezing rain to different regions. Eastern provinces are currently gripped by cold temperatures, which are predicted to persist until the week’s end, according to forecasts from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).
In British Columbia, heavy rainfall led to a section of Highway 16 in Haida Gwaii being washed out, cutting off a crucial north-south route on the island. This disruption has affected access to essential services and infrastructure, causing significant inconvenience for residents.
Moreover, an atmospheric river system from the Pacific has stalled over B.C.’s North Coast, resulting in continuous rain in Kitimat and surrounding areas. A flood watch has been in effect for Haida Gwaii and the North Coast since December 27, with nearby rivers at risk of rising above bank levels due to the persistent rainfall.
As the weather system progresses, a strengthening bomb cyclone is moving across the northern United States, bringing severe winter conditions to the Midwest and heading towards the East Coast. In Canada, regions northeast of Quebec City and into northern New Brunswick are expected to receive significant snowfall and high winds, while London and the Lake Huron and Georgian Bay areas are warned of hazardous blizzard conditions with dangerous snow squalls.
Residents are urged to exercise caution and prepare for potential disruptions to transportation, services, and utilities as the severe weather continues. The adverse weather conditions are forecasted to persist until Thursday, with some areas expecting up to 50 centimeters of snow accumulation and near-zero visibility due to strong winds.
Furthermore, parts of northern Ontario and northern Quebec are under a yellow warning for challenging winter conditions, including heavy snowfall, strong winds, and reduced visibility. In the Atlantic region, additional snowfall and strong winds are anticipated in northern New Brunswick and snow squalls are expected in certain Nova Scotia counties.
Air travel has also been affected by the inclement weather, with Air Canada warning passengers of potential disruptions to flights to and from Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto due to weather-related delays. The airline is working to recover from a backlog caused by cancellations and delays in various Canadian cities on Monday.
Southern Quebec, while no longer under weather warnings, is experiencing frigid temperatures following freezing rain that coated streets and sidewalks in Montreal. Despite a temporary thaw, icy conditions have returned as temperatures drop to -13°C, with residents advised to take precautions to avoid accidents on slippery surfaces.