From Ontario's 'snowmageddon' to Vancouver's 'skidding cars': Fierce winter hits Canada in messy weather week
Mercury took a deep dive across Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario with Canadians finally getting a much-awaited white winterland
Road closures, ferry cancellations, power outages and avalanche warnings were observed throughout British Columbia in a week that brought damaging winds and heavy snow as part of the powerful storm systems hitting Canada.
Authorities issued a special weather warning for parts of British Columbia against higher-than-usual ocean levels resulting in surging waves, with locations like west Vancouver Island, Greater Victoria and the Southern Gulf Islands witnessing significant snow and winds of up to 100 km/h.
At 7 pm, all the weather stations in British Columbia 🇨🇦 are below 0°C. The highest temperature is -0.1°C in Tofino. This doesn't happen that often. #BCstorm #BCwx pic.twitter.com/R9rRnlLmE9
— Thierry Goose (@ThierryGooseBC) January 12, 2024
Metro Vancouver saw high tides and fairly strong northwesterly winds with big waves crashing into the city seawall on the back of gusts anywhere from 30 to 50 kilometres per hour upwards of 60, as per several reports from the province.
If anyone wants to make the news today in Vancouver. Go down to the Seawall and capture the King Tide this morning. It's mixing with a Windstorm.
The picture is an example of what that looks like. Except it will be dark. Be safe! Never turn your back on the Ocean. #bcstorm pic.twitter.com/SQLEQocYLP— Brad604 (@Brad604) January 11, 2024
It was very wavy & very windy yesterday! #ucluelet #bcstorm pic.twitter.com/WhOIw1zcBT
— David McColm (@davidlmccolm) January 11, 2024
Vancouverites reported "shivering" while taking videos of the extreme weather outdoors regardless of being "dressed for it" as the unbearable wind "hurt" them midway through the week.
Good luck Vancouverites! You are going to need it. I'm shivering right now trying to take this video because even though I'm dressed for it, that wind hurts. And we haven't even seen anything yet to how cold it will get... New Westminster, BC. #bcstorm pic.twitter.com/gi3jzKkpQs
— Brad604 (@Brad604) January 11, 2024
B.C. out of power; cars skid on highways
Power outages were also reported across the province on Tuesday, with about 20,000 people left without electricity for hours until it was restored in the evening.
Highway disruptions also became frequent as the snowfall became persistent mid-week, matching the forecast expectations of between 40 to 60 cm of heavy snow, resulting in reduced visibility and treacherous driving.
Good luck Vancouverites! You are going to need it. I'm shivering right now trying to take this video because even though I'm dressed for it, that wind hurts. And we haven't even seen anything yet to how cold it will get... New Westminster, BC. #bcstorm pic.twitter.com/gi3jzKkpQs
— Brad604 (@Brad604) January 11, 2024
Vancouver, there was a meme floating yesterday saying “don’t embarrass ourselves” and 2cm of snow and people forget how to drive.
Credit @official604tv #Vancouver #snow #bcstorm #globalnews #bc #604 #vancity #coquitlam pic.twitter.com/RjXiEh9Rsd— Yazdi (@Yazdi__) January 12, 2024
Vehicles were seen skidding as panicked drivers jumped out of their cars, watching them pile up against each other and eventually blocking streets and highways along the way.
Explicit commentary. Parental advisory #bcstorm pic.twitter.com/8Slaudcy6Y
— Shanel Pratap (@shanelpratap) January 12, 2024
My mom just sent me this photo (from near Burquitlam Station). Look at those skidding cars! It’s madness out there. Stay safe, commuters. #Vancouver #Coquitlam #bcstorm pic.twitter.com/gDtbynllYk
— Sabrina Rani Furminger 🇺🇦🇮🇳 (@sabrinarmf) January 12, 2024
Alberta sees Arctic temperatures, record-breaking dip in Edmonton
A polar vortex swept Alberta on Thursday, dipping temperatures to a low not seen in decades as people in Edmonton reported mercury dropping to as low as -46 Celsius and wind chill making it next to impossible for locals to head out.
Edmonton, Alberta, has dropped to -46C (-51F). Their all-time recorded coldest temp appears to be -49.4C (-57F). pic.twitter.com/6BkLNKzqO7
— Brian Brettschneider (@Climatologist49) January 12, 2024
Meteorologists predict the cold spell will end by Sunday, making the weekend a dangerous stretch of days for the people who are likely to face temperatures lower than -30 Celsius for the remaining week.
I can't recall the last time I saw -51F in Edmonton, Alberta. 🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮 pic.twitter.com/4FjbwvW9Cw
— Greg Postel (@GregPostel) January 12, 2024
Mercury dipping lower than -40 Celsius in Edmonton was last reported in 1972, with only one daytime high of -30 Celsius having happened since 2004.
Its currently-37 degrees in Edmonton, but with the windchill, it feels more like why do I live here. #yeg #yyc
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) January 12, 2024
Next level cold in Edmonton this morning. Dangerous -55 wind chill at #YEG pic.twitter.com/Hn2nhj0hht
— Anthony Farnell (@AnthonyFarnell) January 12, 2024
'Snowmageddon' to 'zero centimetres' in Ontario
The famous Canadian saying, "if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes," seemed to aptly describe varying reports coming out of different parts of Ontario as residents found themselves in the grips of fluctuating temperatures during the messy weather week up north.
Environment Canada issued winter storm alerts for large parts of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland Tuesday morning, following which Canadians across provinces shared contrasting snow reports of messy weather.
📢 Impactful ❄️ WINTER STORM ❄️ for parts of southern ON!
⚠️ Hazards:
❄️ Snow amounts of 10 to 25 cm
🧊 Freezing rain & ice pellets possible
🚗 Hazardous travel conditions
🕛 Timing:
Tuesday through Wednesday
Alerts 👉 https://t.co/09A1ANVbHK#ONStorm #ONwx pic.twitter.com/TnTDSljHrq— ECCC Weather Ontario (@ECCCWeatherON) January 8, 2024
While some people prepared themselves for a "snowmageddon" in Ontario, others reported no snowfall at all.
Just looked at the radar. That is one hell of a storm coming.
Snowmaggedon.— Marc (@marcdez55) January 9, 2024
A veteran, however, felt the "snowmageddon" reference was a stretch for what they described as "half an inch of wet mushy snow."
nowadays in the newly soft climate canadian winters, the media calls 1/2 an inch of mushy wet snow a 'snowmageddon' in toronto.
shit, i'm so old i can remember when the word WINTER meant something & you needed several shovels to cope with it all... & a strong back. 😉☃️🌬️🌨️— mick scrivener (@realscrivinTO) January 9, 2024
Elsewhere in Ontario, people reported seeing green grass and rain instead of a snowy white landscape.
@ryanhallyall Absolutely 0 cm of snow here in Hamilton, Southern Ontario 🇨🇦. Green grass and rain. I wish we had a little snow.
Great coverage of the storms.— Marz Nova 🇨🇦 (@MarzNova) January 9, 2024
On the contrary, snow was seen coming down rather "fast" near Ottawa and parts of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
It's a fine powder snow that doesn't get captured well on camera, but it's coming down fast now!❄️🥰 #ONStorm pic.twitter.com/oT87sqBQF8
— Jon📷 (@DunrobinOntario) January 9, 2024
A little sample of the roads on the way towards Belfountain on top of the Escarpment. Not great. @weathernetwork #onstorm pic.twitter.com/RpEUed1tD2
— Mark Robinson (@StormhunterTWN) January 9, 2024
Is there such a thing as a snownado@weathernetwork ?
Because when the snow blows it goes into a circle like a tornado, but with snow 🌬️❄️#ONStorm pic.twitter.com/evkotmhev8— (Miss) Edie the Pug & Edna (@EdiethePug) January 9, 2024
10 cm of snow has fallen as of 4 pm in Millbrook, ON (South of Peterborough).
A mix of ice pellets and rain continues to fall. @ECCCWeatherON #ONStorm #ONwx pic.twitter.com/QhmVCUMgVe— Jack Hamilton (@JackHamiltonWX) January 9, 2024
Environment Canada issued multiple weather warnings Tuesday forecasting blowing snow and heavy rainfall across Ontario.
City and police officials urged residents to be cautious as they navigate the GTA, saying that flash flooding and slippery conditions are likely.
Here's a look at our airfield surface maintenance specialists in action during the first major winter storm of the year! pic.twitter.com/O1vE306AKs
— Toronto Pearson (@TorontoPearson) January 9, 2024
Birds brave the storm as furry friends enjoy playtime brought by delayed winter weather
December noted inconsistent winter weather with many locations across Canada, from British Columbia to northwest Ontario, breaking records for higher temperatures than usual during the last month of the year.
With proper winter weather finally hitting the region, Canadians were quick to share snapshots of their everyday lives adjusting to the snow, featuring cute furry friends and wildlife.
Having some snow today. Our chickadees are brave little birds. #ONStorm pic.twitter.com/5j139XZmkm
— Keïth!🌈 🐾 Micker 😺 🐾 Miss P 😾 🐾 (@KeitherKeith) January 9, 2024
Today's snow is PERFECT for making snowmans/snowballs!
Kids finally got a snowday, so why not go out and make a snowman!#OnWX #Onstorm pic.twitter.com/te3LROv9aR— WxOntario (@WxOntario1) January 9, 2024
Riding creeks and hills
These dogs live for the sled
Over the beaver dam we go#snow #workingdogs #GERMANSHEPHERD #forti #barnum pic.twitter.com/8linzHPPjr— Ontario Besser Shepherds Inc🇨🇦 (@OBShepherds) January 8, 2024
We've got half a foot of fluffy white bullshit in the yard, and Zora is loving it. No matter how much I'm like "Seriously dog?", she wants to go run around in it.
Then she gets cold, wants to come in and warm up, and then it's more of "I want to go run around in the snow!"— Ian Runkle/Runkle of the Bailey @ YouTube (@IanRunkle) January 9, 2024
We are getting inundated with "fluffy white bs" as well here in Ontario, snow day for the kids.
My dog, Roxy, is in full agreement with Zora. It would be fine if mine didn't insist on turning herself into a dog snowball and bringing it all in the house every hour. ☃️— Just A Mom (@shawnmikey716) January 9, 2024