Heavy snowfall, biting cold, and strong winds have created hazardous commuting conditions across much of Atlantic Canada, with forecasters warning that the challenging weather is likely to persist at least until Tuesday. Just a week following the season’s first significant snowstorm, the region was once again blanketed in snow overnight, with Environment Canada issuing yellow snowfall warnings for all of Nova Scotia.
Another Round of Snowfall
The latest storm brought with it an alarming forecast, predicting up to 35 centimetres of snow in certain areas. Ian Hubbard, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, commented, “We had one really good shot of snow overnight. But we are expecting more snow later today to pick up again. It’s certainly not over. We are expecting this to be an all-day event.” The snowfall has made navigating downtown Halifax particularly challenging, as local resident Thomas MacDonald noted, “The dump of snowfall overnight was a bit too much. I take the bus – and they’re on the snow plan.”
Wind and Cold Complicate Conditions
Wind gusts reaching up to 70 kilometres per hour are contributing to blowing snow and making travel even more treacherous. Environment Canada employs yellow weather warnings when it anticipates conditions may lead to moderate damage or disruption. In contrast, orange warnings are in effect in parts of Labrador, where extreme cold could make temperatures feel as frigid as -46 C.
In the wake of the severe weather, various power utilities in the region have had to adjust their operations. After asking customers to conserve energy over the weekend due to increased demand, Nova Scotia Power lifted its energy conservation request on Monday, as temperatures began to rise slightly from the bitter cold experienced just days earlier. The utility company had previously urged residents to turn off high-consumption appliances and maintain lower thermostat settings, prompting frustration from many customers.
Community Reactions and Power Concerns
Halifax resident Megan Balcom expressed her dissatisfaction with the utility’s requests, labelling them “insulting”. She elaborated, “A lot of us are already reducing what we can just to afford bills. Rates keep increasing but service and quality seem to decrease.” Earlier in the year, Nova Scotia Power sought approval from the province’s energy regulator for an eight per cent increase in residential rates, a move that has drawn criticism from all political parties in the province.
Further complicating matters, Newfoundland and Labrador residents faced the potential for rolling power outages over the weekend due to issues at the Bay d’Espoir hydroelectric power station, which was hindered by frazil ice clogging its intake pipes. Fortunately, by Monday morning, utility crews had managed to restore functionality to six of the seven generating units, alleviating the immediate threat of widespread outages.
Compounding Weather Challenges Across Canada
The severe weather is not limited to the Atlantic provinces. In southern Ontario, record snowfall of 46 centimetres on Sunday led to widespread school closures and hundreds of flight cancellations. The Toronto Transit Commission reported significant disruptions to multiple transit routes, while Ontario Provincial Police responded to approximately 200 collisions and another 150 calls for vehicles stranded in ditches within a 24-hour period.
Meanwhile, Montreal experienced power outages affecting thousands of customers, as broken equipment at a substation disrupted service during a particularly cold snap, with wind chill values reaching -26 C. The southern regions of New Brunswick, including Saint John and Moncton, are forecasted to receive up to 30 centimetres of snow by Tuesday morning, while Prince Edward Island can anticipate over 20 centimetres.
As Hubbard cautions, “If anyone’s jumping the gun that we’re out of this yet, I assure you we’re not.” The storm’s impacts are expected to linger, creating potential hazards for residents and commuters alike.
Why it Matters
The severe winter weather affecting Atlantic Canada highlights the challenges that communities face during extreme conditions. Not only does it disrupt daily life and travel, but it also raises pressing concerns about energy demands and infrastructure resilience. As residents grapple with the realities of rising utility costs and the effects of climate change, this ongoing weather event underscores the importance of preparedness and community support in navigating the harsh winter months.
