Canadians seeking relief from prolonged rainfall will have to brace for another storm, as several regions in Ontario and Quebec are expected to be hit by a major snowstorm. Meanwhile, residents in Western Canada are grappling with a severe cold snap.
This latest rainfall follows a previous system that affected various parts of Canada earlier in the week. Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City experienced snowfall on Tuesday and Wednesday, while the Maritimes also saw snow. The West Coast faced downtime rainfall, and the downs experienced an extreme cold warning.
Expected to begin late Friday and continue into Saturday, many areas in Ontario and Quebec are poised to receive another significant amount of snow. “The last system dropped five to 10 centimetres of wet snow for the GTHA. With this one, we’re anticipating more, but it’s still too early to pinpoint exact quantities,” said Hull on Thursday.
Areas that received heavy snowfall in the recent system will likely see the heaviest amounts with this latest disturbance as well. Environment Canada is predicting five to 10 centimetres of snow, with Ottawa expected to receive 15 to 25 centimetres, an increase from the previous forecast of 10 to 15 centimetres earlier in the week. Peak snowfall rates of 3 to 5 cm per hour are anticipated, along with strong wind gusts that could result in significantly reduced visibility due to blowing snow.
Montreal is also expected to receive 15 to 20 cm of snow, while Quebec City could see 10 to 20 centimetres. Meanwhile, a cold wave with biting wind has gripped Western Canada, persisting until at least Saturday. Environment Canada has issued cold and Arctic exodus warnings covering the Canadian chart from Haida Gwaii to near Hudson Bay.
Forecasters warn that gusting winds can make temperatures feel like -40°C or even -55°C in some areas, increasing the risk of frostbite within moments on exposed skin, especially with wind chill. Those venturing outdoors are advised to watch for symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness, or changes in the color of fingers and toes.
While extreme cold poses a threat to everyone, Environment Canada notes that the risks are higher for young children, elderly individuals, people with chronic illnesses, those working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter.
