This past week has been marked by a series of dramatic and disruptive weather events across the globe, with significant impacts felt right here in Canada. From raging wildfires in Australia to paralyzing snowstorms in Ontario and hazardous fog in British Columbia, extreme conditions have made headlines and challenged communities.
Global Extremes and Local Impacts
The week's weather stories featured a large wildfire in Australia, underscoring the intense heat and dry conditions in the Southern Hemisphere. Meanwhile, Canada faced its own set of winter challenges. In Ontario, a significant snow storm led to the closure of schools, universities, and some child care centres in Toronto and across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The storm's impact on travel was severe, causing multiple disruptions.
Further east, all school buses were cancelled in Ottawa and eastern Ontario on Thursday due to the difficult conditions. In Quebec, the winter weather was blamed for causing multiple collisions on Route 132 on Montreal’s South Shore. Other Canadian incidents included a central Edmonton fire that sent one person to hospital, and a rescue in Saskatchewan where RCMP rescued two people lost in a forest near Prince Albert.
Coastal Hazards and Western Events
On the West Coast, forecasters warned that 'dense fog' would blanket B.C.’s South Coast, creating potentially dangerous travel conditions. In unrelated but concerning news from the region, police reported that a man tried to set a sleeping person on fire on Metro Vancouver transit.
Southern Saskatchewan was dealing with hidden winter hazards created by a recent cold spell. Alberta saw a mix of weather and crime news, with teens arrested and charged in connection with two violent robberies in Calgary.
Broader Context and Climate Notes
These acute events occur against a backdrop of longer-term climate trends. While not directly cited in the daily reports, broader data shows that last year was the third warmest on record globally, a fact that raises questions about the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather patterns. The juxtaposition of record heat reports and intense local winter storms highlights the complex and varied face of a changing climate.
The week's events serve as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the importance of preparedness, from personal safety to institutional responses like school closures and travel advisories.
