Every year Environment and Climate Change Canada analyses the weather events of the year and rank them from one to ten based on factors that include the impact they had on Canada and Canadians, the extent of the affected area, economic effects, and longevity as a top news story.
2018 bought extreme and impactful weather events that caused costly damage across the country. From above normal temperatures during every season, historic river flooding, forest fires, tornadoes, heat waves, and cold snaps, these are the top 10 weather stories of 2018.
Record wildfires and smoky skies
Although the wildfire season started late this year, there were nearly 2,000 wildfires across British Columbia and more than 460 simultaneous wildfires by August 8, 2018.
Canada affected by global summer heat wave
Calgary hit the highest temperature of 36.5 °C on August 10 — an all-time record with records dating back to 1881.
During the same month, Regina set an August record with a high of 41.3 °C on August 11 and Moose Jaw’s temperature rose to a record 42.3 °C —two degrees away from Canada’s warmest high ever recorded.
Ottawa – Gatineau Region saw the second-warmest Canada Day ever, the humidex reaching a high of 47 °C in Ottawa and 48 °C in Gatineau.
Across Quebec, 93 people died from heat-related complications.
Cities in all four Atlantic Provinces recorded highest-ever average temperature in July.
Hot and dry to snow-filled skies blunt the Prairie harvest
Spring arriving late, frost conditions lasting until mid-May, a drought that lasted from April to August and sweltering heat of July and August all hit farmers in the Prairies with many challenges that affected both crops and livestock. To make matters worse, it snowed early — downgrading the quality of crops and hampering harvesting efforts.
Powerful May winds cost $1 billion
As per the estimate of Insurance Bureau of Canada, the fast-moving squall line of thunderstorms that raced across southwestern Ontario around noon and Quebec by evening of May 4, was the country’s costliest storm in five years with total losses estimated near $1 billion.
Highest recorded wind speeds for the month: 126 km/h in Hamilton; 122 in Kitchener-Waterloo; 119 in Toronto; and 117 in Montréal led to to widespread power outages.
Ottawa-Gatineau tornadoes on summer’s last day
On September 21, 6 tornadoes hit Ottawa-Gatineau region, including the strongest tornado to hit eastern Ontario since 1903 — Dunrobin-Gatineau tornado, a EF-3 with maximum winds up to 265 km/h. It was the strongest storm to strike anywhere in Canada during September in 120 years. The tornado lasted 40 minutes and tore a path almost 40 kilometres long.
Spring flooding throughout southern British Columbia
Widespread spring flooding in British Columbia threatened communities across the south, especially along the Okanagan, Kettle, and Fraser Rivers.
Flash flooding of the Saint John River
In Fredericton, New Brunswick, the slow-rising Saint John River’s sudden swelling became the province’s largest, most impactful flood.
The high water levels caused the famous Reversing Falls to stop reversing, and the flood caused 150 roads, bridges, and culverts across the province and the Trans-Canada Highway between Fredericton and Moncton to be closed.
Toronto’s August deluge
The compact storm that formed on August 7 dumped 58 mm of rain in Toronto downtown causedflash floods that swamped roads and underpasses, submerging cars, and even trapped two men in an underground elevator.
Record cold start to a long winter
The 2017/18 winter that began in November 0f 2017 brought six months of winter that caused cancellations of outdoor New Year’s Eve celebrations and polar bear dips.
Edmonton set a record of 127 days in a row with sub-freezing temperatures.
A cruel, cold, and stormy April
April lived up to its reputation as the cruellest month and was the coldest in 71 years for Ontario and Quebec. It was also the coldest in 16 years for most of Canada.
Due to a powerful Colorado storm tracked across southern Ontario and Quebec, freezing rain poured down on Montréal and Gaspé for 20 hours and a storm surge in Québec City led to the St. Lawrence River breaching its banks and flooding roads. Later in April, a Texas storm brought 3 days of ice pellets and freezing rain across southwestern Ontario. 21 hours of ice pellets impacted CN Tower operations, causing CN Tower closure. It also pierced the dome below CN Tower, and the cancellation of a Blue Jays game.