'Extreme' winter weather hits Canada

CTV National News: Wicked winter weather An intense storm system has paralyzed parts of Canada with record snowfalls, damaging winds and extremely cold temps. Todd Battis reports.

An “intense winter storm” could slam parts of Quebec and Atlantic Canada this weekend, bringing with it “major” snowfall of 30 cm or higher, according to Environment Canada.

“While it is difficult to give details this far in advance, all indications show a major snowfall event (for the Maritimes),” the department website reads.

Meteorologists have been following a storm system developing in the U.S., and say that if the system tracks further south, it’s possible that some regions currently under special weather statements could be spared the worst of it. Your Morning meteorologist Kelsey McEwen stressed that it is still early and predictions are made “with a great amount of uncertainty.”

But on Thursday, all signs pointed to a wallop for the Maritimes as the low pressure system tracked east. “As it moves into the Atlantic, it’s picking up all of that moisture and it actually fuels the storm,” said McEwen. “Moisture for storms is like gasoline.”

Other parts of the country, from northern Ontario to the Yukon, are under extreme cold weather warnings and could face wind chill temperatures dipping as low as -40 C and -50 C, providing “some of the coldest temperatures this winter,” said McEwan.

Here are the current weather warnings across the country.

ATLANTIC CANADA

Snowfall of 30 cm or higher is possible in what is being called a “large winter storm” with strong winds, major rainfall “in excess of 50 mm” and the potential for freezing rain, said Environment Canada.

Newfoundland and Labrador are under an extreme cold weather alert with wind chills reaching a possible -48 C, but the province may be spared the worst of the storm.

QUEBEC

If the track of the southern U.S. storm system shifts further south, it may miss some areas of Quebec, but Environment Canada has issued special weather statements detailing the “intense winter storm” for southern Quebec, which could see “very strong and frigid northerly winds” and blowing snow” that reduces visibility and making roads slippery.

“This storm should invade the province of Quebec,” the department said. “The most affected areas should be those located near the American Border and Atlantic Canada.”

Northern Quebec will likely escape the storm but parts of the region will see wind chill values near -48 C on Friday morning.

ONTARIO

Extreme cold, including wind chill values near -45 C, are expected overnight Thursday and into Friday morning for parts of northern Ontario, including Attawapiskat, Fort Severn and Moosonee.

“This bitterly cold Arctic airmass will remain in place through the weekend and possibly into next week,” said Environment Canada.

On Wednesday, the storm system moving toward the Atlantic shifted further southward, sparing much of southern Ontario from major snowfall. “The worst of the storm as it passes south of the Great Lakes will be in the U.S.,” said McEwan.

WESTERN CANADA

Extreme cold with wind chill values between -40 and -50 C are expected to blanket the western provinces, and wind warnings are in effect for parts of B.C.

“In B.C., the forecast is a lot milder thanks to Pacific air moving in,” said McEwan, though it will still be wet and windy over the next few days.

YUKON

The northern Dempster Highway region of the Yukon will see blizzard conditions Thursday with “visibility near zero,” according to Environment Canada. “Travel is expected to be extremely hazardous due to reduced visibility.”

NUNAVUT

A few areas of Nunavut are facing wind chills near -55 C today and Friday. “Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill,” says Environment Canada.