A powerful winter storm that brought record-breaking snowfall to Ontario and Quebec is now impacting Atlantic Canada. The system, characterized by a large and strong low-pressure area, is forecast to bring significant snowfall and frigid temperatures to the Maritimes and Newfoundland.
Storm’s Impact Across Eastern Canada
Toronto Pearson Airport recorded 46 centimetres of snow on Sunday, marking the highest single-day snowfall in its history. This brought January’s total snowfall to 88.2 cm, the highest amount recorded since record-keeping began in 1937, according to Environment Canada. School closures were widespread across the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding regions.
In Quebec, a snowfall warning remained in effect for Montreal on Monday morning, leading to school closures. The storm’s western edge is now moving towards the Maritimes, as confirmed by Geoff Coulson, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Atlantic provinces are bracing for 20 to 30 cm of snowfall, with warnings issued for parts of southern New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. Wind gusts up to 70 km/hour are expected along the Atlantic Coast, reducing visibility.
While significant snowfall events are uncommon in Ontario cities like Toronto and Kingston, Atlantic Canada is more accustomed to strong winter storms. Coulson noted that these regions “are used to some pretty strong storms that can come up the Eastern seaboard.”
Extended Cold Expected
Nova Scotia is already experiencing disruptions, with numerous school and university closures and dozens of flight cancellations at Halifax’s airport. Snowfall is expected to continue into Tuesday, potentially exceeding 30 cm in some areas. Southern Newfoundland is under a winter storm warning, anticipating around 15 cm of snow.
Coulson emphasized that the unusually cold temperatures accompanying this storm differentiate it from typical winter weather patterns in southern Ontario, where a thaw often follows heavy snowfall. However, colder temperatures are expected to persist, and the long-range forecast predicts below-normal temperatures in Ontario through mid-February.
Frequently Asked Questions
What areas are currently under a snowfall warning?
Parts of southern New Brunswick, most of Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island are currently under snowfall warnings, with some areas of Newfoundland also under a winter storm warning.
How does this storm compare to typical winter weather in Atlantic Canada?
According to Geoff Coulson, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, Atlantic Canada is “used to some pretty strong storms that can come up the Eastern seaboard and give significant amounts of snow.”
What is the forecast for temperatures following the snowfall?
Colder temperatures are expected to remain, and the long-range forecast into mid-February is predicting Ontario temperatures that are colder than normal, meaning the snow “will likely be hanging around for some time to come,” according to Coulson.
As the storm system moves through, will communities be able to quickly recover from the disruptions, or are they facing a prolonged period of challenging winter conditions?
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