An early spring storm is bringing rain, heavy snow and strong winds to five provinces in Eastern Canada.
According to CTV Your Morning’s meteorologist Kelsey McEwen, a Colorado low is responsible for the wet and wintery conditions.
Environment Canada has issued snowfall warnings for large areas of central Ontario and southern Quebec, including cities and towns like Sudbury, Ottawa, Cornwall, Gatineau, Montreal, Mont-Tremblant and Quebec’s Eastern Townships. Anywhere from 15 to 30 centimetres of snow is expected between Wednesday and Thursday.
“With temperatures being very close to the freezing mark, the snow may be very heavy and wet in nature,” Environment Canada cautioned. “Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow.”
Special weather statements are meanwhile in effect for large parts of southern Ontario, including Toronto, Barrie, Hamilton, Burlington, Mississauga, Kingston, Peterborough and Niagara Falls. Heavy rain totalling 25 to 40 millimetres is expected Wednesday along with east gusting winds of 80 km/h.
“This evening as cooler air pushes in, the rain may mix with or transition over to wet snow which is expected to ease Thursday,” Environment Canada said. “Accumulating snow is possible, particularly inland away from Lake Ontario or over higher terrain.”
Special weather statements are also in effect across Atlantic Canada, covering nearly all of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, as well as parts of Quebec. Ten to 20 cm of snow is expected across the region beginning Wednesday night in New Brunswick, Thursday morning in Nova Scotia, and Thursday afternoon in P.E.I. Strong winds and higher amounts of snow are also possible in some areas, including northeastern New Brunswick and Cape Breton, N.S.
“The snow is likely to be very wet and heavy in nature,” Environment Canada stated. “This, along with gusty easterly winds, may cause tree branches to break. Utility outages may occur.”
A special weather statement in effect for parts of Ontario and Quebec, April 3, 2024.
Across the country, winter weather has returned to Alberta after warm temperatures on Tuesday. Snowfall warnings are now in place for much of the southwestern part of the province, including Fort Macleod, Canmore, Crowsnest Pass and Waterton Lakes National Park. Ten to 20 cm of heavy snow is expected from overnight Wednesday into Thursday.
“Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow,” Environment Canada warned. “If visibility is reduced while driving, turn on your lights and maintain a safe following distance.”
The weather will be much balmier in neighbouring Saskatchewan, where temperatures could break records as they reach the low 20s on Wednesday.
Health Canada has authorized Novavax’s updated COVID-19 vaccine that protects against currently circulating variants of the virus.
The protein-based vaccine, called Nuvaxovid, has been reformulated to target the JN.1 subvariant of Omicron.
It will replace the previous version of the vaccine, which targeted the XBB.1.5 subvariant of Omicron.
Health Canada recently asked provinces and territories to get rid of their older COVID-19 vaccines to ensure the most current vaccine will be used during this fall’s respiratory virus season.
Earlier this week, Health Canada approved Moderna’s updated mRNA COVID vaccine.
It is still reviewing Pfizer’s updated mRNA vaccine, with a decision expected soon.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.
Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version erroneously described the Novavax vaccine as an mRNA shot.
HALIFAX – The federal Fisheries Department says an endangered North Atlantic right whale has become entangled in gear in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
The department says the whale was sighted Wednesday by a Transport Canada aerial surveillance team northeast of the Gaspé Peninsula, off Anticosti Island.
Officials say it’s not known what type of gear has entangled the whale or where the gear came from.
Based on observation, experts at the New England Aquarium have confirmed the whale is a female known as Chiminea.
The department says it is continuing to monitor the area and if the whale is located and conditions allow, efforts will be made to disentangle the animal.
Last October, the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium estimated there were 356 North Atlantic right whales left on the planet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
VANCOUVER – Canadian pop icon Nelly Furtado has been named one of three headliners for the opening ceremony of the upcoming Invictus Games.
Furtado, from Victoria, will share the stage with alt-pop star Roxane Bruneau of Delson, Que., and American singer-songwriter Noah Kahan.
They’ll be part of the show that opens the multi-sport event in Vancouver and Whistler, B.C., in February.
The Invictus Games sees wounded, injured, and sick military service members and Veterans compete in 11 disciplines.
The Vancouver Whistler 2025 Games will be the first of seven editions to feature winter adaptive sports, including alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, skeleton and wheelchair curling.
British Columbia’s Lower Mainland will host the Invictus Games from Feb. 8-16.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
