People embracing the foggy nature by the St. Lawrence River on a mild Christmas Day in Montreal, Monday, December 25, 2023. The Canadian Press/ Graham Hughes.
Across much of Canada, the Christmas season unfolded with unseasonably warm temperatures. Notably above zero in regions stretching from Ontario to the Maritimes. While the East experienced milder conditions, the West Coast may face heavy rains, with Environment Canada issuing fog advisories for parts of Ontario.
The fog advisories covered a significant portion of Ontario, including areas from Niagara to Belleville, affecting travel conditions. Though fog is not uncommon during mild winter conditions, the agency warned of near-zero visibility on Christmas morning, persisting into the afternoon in some areas and redeveloping in the evening. The advisory stressed the potential hazards of reduced visibility and urged drivers to exercise caution.
Meteorologist Ryan Rozinskis explained that mild conditions, coupled with the cooling lakes and surges of warmer, moister air, contribute to the fog phenomenon during this time of year. While the situation does not indicate a crisis, there is a need for regular blood and plasma donations, and the agency encouraged Canadians to contribute despite the distractions of the holiday season.
The festive season in Ottawa was marked by cloudy skies and temperatures reaching 2°C, prompting concerns about the Rideau Canal's ice conditions. The warmer start to the season raises worries about the canal's viability as the world's largest outdoor ice rink. Despite the thin layer of ice observed, there remains optimism that the canal will open for skating, provided there are ten consecutive days of temperatures between -10°C and -20°C.
In contrast, Iqaluit, Nunavut, closer to the North Pole, faced blizzard conditions, with residents warned to stay off the snowy roads. In northern Ontario, a prolonged period of freezing rain was forecasted for areas like Timmins and Thunder Bay.
Montreal experienced a milder Christmas with temperatures reaching 5°C, while Prairie cities witnessed an unusually brown Christmas with minimal snowfall. Edmonton, for example, received less than four centimetres of snow this month, and temperatures remained below freezing across the West on Christmas Day.
In British Columbia, Environment Canada issued wind and rainfall warnings along the coast, with a strong weather system expected to bring heavy rains and gusty winds. Island communities, including Tofino and Ucluelet, were cautioned about potential flash floods due to heavy rainfall.
Despite the atypical weather conditions, Canadians are urged to stay cautious on the roads and consider contributing to blood donation efforts during the holiday season.
