Historic blizzard highlights need for severe weather preparedness: scientists
ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — Climate scientists say a blizzard that paralyzed eastern Newfoundland signals that greater preparations are needed for extreme precipitation and tidal surges — even if a direct line cannot be drawn between individual storms and climate change.
The historic Jan. 17 blizzard dropped more than 76 centimetres of snow on St. John’s amid winds gusting over 150 kilometres per hour, breaking a record for single-day snowfall in the city. The provincial capital was under a state of emergency for eight days as crews worked to clear roads, and other municipalities responded to infrastructure damage and similarly deep snowfalls.
Researchers who spoke with The Canadian Press said more intense storms are likely on the horizon for Atlantic Canada, and the region should prepare accordingly.
“I think what the storm showed is that we’re not really prepared either for the increased intensity of storms, or the possibility that such storms could become more frequent,” said Brad DeYoung, an oceanographer at Memorial University of Newfoundland.