Downtown St. John’s streets stayed mostly empty on Friday, March 8, 2024, as residents chose to remain indoors. THE CANADIAN PRESS
Christmas Day arrived with harsh weather across much of Canada, bringing heavy snow to the East, extreme cold to the West, and icy conditions to parts of Ontario. Weather warnings covered large areas of the country as officials urged people to stay alert and adjust holiday plans.
Heavy Snow Pounds Newfoundland and Labrador
Large parts of Newfoundland and Labrador spent Christmas under winter storm warnings as powerful weather moved across the region. Environment Canada warned of blizzard-like conditions along the east coast of Labrador, especially near Cartwright, where snowfall could reach up to 50 centimetres starting Thursday.
Other areas across the province could receive as much as 40 centimetres of snow. Strong winds, with gusts reaching 120 kilometres an hour, added to the danger by creating blowing snow and near-zero visibility in some places. Travel conditions quickly worsened, making driving risky and, at times, impossible.
Power Outages Disrupt Holiday Plans
The storm caused widespread power outages across Newfoundland and Labrador. By Thursday evening, more than 4,500 customers were without electricity. The outages disrupted Christmas celebrations for many families and forced changes to public events.
In St. John’s, the St. John the Baptist Basilica cancelled its Christmas Day Mass after the storm intensified. Church officials cited safety concerns as snow and wind continued to build through the day.
Dangerous Cold Grips Western Canada
While the East battled snow and wind, Western Canada faced intense cold. Weather warnings stretched across northern British Columbia and into the Yukon, where temperatures dropped sharply.
Wind chill values in the Dawson and Whitehorse areas were expected to fall as low as minus 55 overnight Thursday. The extreme cold posed serious risks, especially for anyone spending time outdoors. Officials advised residents to limit exposure, dress in layers, and check on vulnerable neighbours.
Freezing Rain Threatens Southern Ontario
Southern Ontario also faced weather trouble, though of a different kind. Forecasts called for freezing rain in the Windsor region and parts of the Greater Toronto Area beginning Friday morning and continuing into the evening.
Freezing rain can coat roads, sidewalks, and power lines with ice, making travel dangerous and increasing the risk of accidents and power failures. Drivers were urged to slow down and avoid unnecessary travel during the worst conditions.
A Challenging Holiday for Many Canadians
The mix of snowstorms, bitter cold, and icy rain created a difficult Christmas for many Canadians. Emergency officials across the country reminded residents to follow weather updates closely, prepare emergency kits, and adjust travel plans when needed.
While conditions may ease in some areas after the holiday, others could see lingering effects into the days ahead. Cleanup efforts, power restoration, and safer travel will take time as winter tightens its grip.
