Canada is facing severe winter weather as a winter storm battered Ontario and Quebec, causing chaos on the roads and leaving thousands without power. Environment Canada issued yellow and orange weather warnings for millions of residents in Ontario and Quebec due to snow squalls, blowing snow, and freezing rain. The inclement weather led to power outages affecting tens of thousands of people in the region.
Various weather systems have impacted Canada over the past week, bringing blizzards, freezing rain, and cold temperatures. The cold spell is expected to persist until the end of the week, according to forecasts from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). In British Columbia, heavy rainfall washed out a section of Highway 16 in Haida Gwaii, disrupting critical transportation routes and access to essential services.
An atmospheric river system from the Pacific has caused prolonged rain in Kitimat and nearby areas in B.C.’s North Coast, leading to a flood watch in Haida Gwaii and the North Coast region. Meanwhile, a powerful bomb cyclone is sweeping across the northern United States, triggering severe winter conditions in the Midwest and heading towards the East Coast.
Residents in northeastern Quebec, northern New Brunswick, and various regions in Ontario have been warned of heavy snowfall and high winds, with blizzard conditions expected to persist. The agency cautioned about dangerous snow squalls, reduced visibility, and strong winds creating hazardous conditions until Thursday. Northern Ontario and parts of Quebec are under yellow warnings for challenging winter conditions.
Parts of the Atlantic region are also under weather warnings, with additional snow and strong winds forecasted. Air travel has been disrupted, with Air Canada warning passengers about potential flight delays and cancellations to and from Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto due to weather-related issues. Southern Quebec, which experienced freezing rain, is now facing colder temperatures, leading to icy conditions on roads and sidewalks.