Burst of spring brings floods across SE Canada by Steph Ball
Earlier this week parts of Canada experienced an unseasonably warm spell of weather, which saw temperatures more akin to spring than mid-winter. The mild weather set new temperature records across the country, while bringing about a rapid thaw of the deep covering of snow which had blanketed many parts over recent weeks. This rapid thaw together with additional rainfall led to flooding in some areas.
The recent January thaw follows a particularly wintry Christmas period with heavy snowfalls and freezing temperatures. Only a week ago, parts of Eastern Canada were experiencing their fourth snowstorm of the Christmas holidays, the most recent of which dumped an additional 30cm (12 inches) of snow on top of the existing deep cover.
Over the last week, however, a sudden influx of warm air originating from California and southern parts of the US saw temperatures rise well in to double figures. This warm weather helped to set new temperature records across parts of southern Canada. For example, Toronto set new records on two consecutive days earlier this week, with the mercury climbing to 14C (57F) on Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th January. This smashed the previous record for the 7th of January of 6.5C (44F) set in 1998. For the 8th January, the previous record was 11.7C (54F) set in 1965. The average maximum temperature in Toronto in mid-January should be nearer –2C (28F).
A January thaw is not unusual and has occurred every year since 1977 according to Environment Canada, though it would normally be expected later on in the month. The last day or so has seen a renewed cold blast arrive which will see temperatures this weekend returning to the seasonal average.
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