A powerful winter storm that hit Ontario and Quebec with heavy snow is now moving towards Atlantic Canada, accompanied by frigid temperatures.
A significant snowstorm swept across southern Ontario on Sunday night, causing widespread transportation disruptions and school closures in Toronto and surrounding areas. Toronto Pearson Airport reported a record 46 centimetres of snow on Sunday, marking the highest daily snowfall ever recorded at the airport. This storm also set a new record for the snowiest January in over 80 years of record-keeping.
In Quebec, Montreal remained under a snowfall warning on Monday morning, leading to school closures in the city. The storm persisted in eastern Ontario on Monday, but meteorologists noted its westward movement towards the Maritimes.
Parts of Atlantic Canada are expecting snowfalls ranging from 20 to 30 centimetres, with snowfall and wind warnings issued for areas in southern New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. While such intense snowstorms are rare in places like Toronto and Kingston, they are more common in Atlantic Canada.
The storm’s impact is also felt in Nova Scotia, where schools and universities are closed, and numerous flights in and out of Halifax have been canceled. Environment Canada forecasts continued snowfall, potentially exceeding 30 centimetres in some regions, accompanied by strong winds along the Atlantic Coast.
Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore expressed uncertainty about the operation of schools and services on Tuesday due to the heavy snowfall. Additionally, Prince Edward Island, southern New Brunswick, and parts of Newfoundland are expected to experience significant snow accumulation.
Unlike typical snow events in southern Ontario, this storm is expected to be followed by persistently cold temperatures, with forecasts indicating below-average temperatures extending into mid-February. This prolonged cold snap means the accumulated snow is likely to remain for an extended period.
As the winter storm progresses, residents in affected areas are bracing for continued snowfall and challenging weather conditions.