TORNADO OUTBREAK | Ottawa and Quebec
 CONFIRMED: Two tornadoes, two downbursts hit Ottawa region
https://www.theweathernetwork.com/news/articles/gatineau-ottawa-dunrobin-tornado-storm/112859

ATLANTIC CANADA | Soggy week
Flood risk for the Maritimes, 'ghost of Florence' follows
FLOODING risk developing this week, timing out the heavy rains here

Wednesday, September 25, 2018, 7:26 PM -    Widespread special weather statements cover New Brunswick and Nova Scotia with heavy amounts of rain expected over a short period of time. Following this midweek drenching, we're keeping a close eye on what could become a subtropical or tropical system from the remnants of Florence, which could bring more rain to southern areas of the Maritimes late week. More on the "ghost of Florence" and the cooling pattern that follows, below.

WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS:
    Great Lakes system pushes rain showers into the Maritimes continuing through Wednesday
    Special weather statements issued ahead of the rainfall where over 50 mm is possible
    Cold front tracks through Wednesday afternoon, bringing threat for scattered thunderstorms across the Maritimes

MIDWEEK DRENCHING
A low pressure system approaching from the Great Lakes will bring rain into New Brunswick through Tuesday evening, spreading through Nova Scotia during the overnight hours and lasting into Thursday afternoon.
Rainfall amounts may reach or exceed rainfall warning levels of 50 mm in 24 hours, especially for southern New Brunswick and western mainland Nova Scotia, according to Environment Canada.
"As the cold front tracks through Wednesday evening, there will be the risk of thunderstorms," adds The Weather Network meteorologist Nadine Hinds-Powell. "Any threat of stronger storms will be across extreme northwestern New Brunswick."

GHOST OF FLORENCE' THREATENS ATLANTIC REGION
A week ago the remnants of Hurricane Florence tracked south of the Maritimes and brought locally heavy rain to southwestern Nova Scotia. As the storm headed out to sea, part of the system were left behind and has been meandering in the Atlantic well off the East Coast of the U.S. for the past week. This fragment of Florence has grown and become more organized over the past week and the U.S. National Hurricane Center is closely monitoring the potential for this system to meet the criteria to become a subtropical or tropical storm.

"This system is currently located east of the Carolinas," says Weather Network meteorologist Dr. Doug Gillham. "During Wednesday and Thursday, some of the upper level moisture from this system will get drawn into the system that will track across Atlantic Canada. This tropical moisture will enhance rain-fall from the non-tropical system."On Friday, the area of low pressure at the surface from the remnants of Florence is expected to track south of Nova Scotia and it could clip the coastline with some showers.

"However, despite its long and high impact history, there is no cause for alarm," adds Gillham. "The ghost of Florence will be a rather weak system as it tracks out to sea for the second time."

SEVERE WEATHER PREPARATIONS
TORNADOES IN CANADA: Expert debunks common myths
Not all thunderstorms produce tornadoes, but it's crucial to be ready

Wednesday, September 26, 2018, 4:58 PM -    In light of last week's destructive tornadoes in the Ottawa region, it is more important than ever to be aware of the dangers posed by one of nature’s most powerful forces. When natural disasters strike, the best defense is to be both well informed and well prepared.

With that in mind, here are a few common myths and misconceptions about tornadoes in Canada, as well as the correct information and the preparedness steps that may help save your life.

MYTH: TORNADOES DON'T HAPPEN OFTEN IN CANADA
While it is true that Canada sees far fewer tornadoes than the United States, Canada is still one of the most tornado-prone countries in the world, with over 60 tornadoes confirmed each year on average. Note: a study involving Environment Canada and Western University called the Northern Tornadoes Project suggests this number to be underestimated, as many northern regions do see tornadoes but they go unnoticed in unpopulated regions.

The Prairies and southern Ontario and Quebec see the highest tornado risk every year, but almost all populated places in Canada can potentially be affected by tornadoes. As the map below shows, tornadoes have occurred in every province, from B.C. to Newfoundland.

MYTH: TORNADOES ONLY HAPPEN IN THE SUMMER
Tornadoes are fueled by atmospheric instability, which means they are most common when temperatures are warmer. That being the case, it’s not surprising that we see the most tornadoes during the warm season. July is Canada’s most active tornado month. But just because tornadoes are more common in summer, does not mean that they aren’t possible at other times of year. Tornadoes can occur any time when there is enough instability in the atmosphere to fuel supercell storms, regardless of the calendar.

MYTH: TORNADOES ONLY HAPPEN DURING THE DAY
This point is very similar to the one above. Because tornadoes are fueled by atmospheric instability, they occur most often at the warmest times of the day. Most tornadoes happen between 4:00pm and 8:00pm. But it’s important to know that the atmospheric conditions that produce tornadoes can occur at any time of day, and even through the overnight hours. Nighttime, or “nocturnal” tornadoes are often more deadly than daytime tornadoes, in part because they are more difficult to see in the dark, and also because they often strike while people are sleeping.

MYTH: TORNADOES DON'T HIT LARGE CITIES
Despite this common misconception, urban areas are just as likely to be hit by tornadoes as anywhere else. The reason that more tornadoes affect rural areas is simply that rural areas make up such a large percentage of the overall land area. By size, urban areas are simply a relatively smaller target, and so less likely to be hit. However as urban areas continue to expand over time, they become more and more likely to be affected by tornadoes. As just a few examples, Windsor, ON, Vaughn, ON, and most recently the Ottawa area have all been struck by destructive tornadoes.

MYTH: TORNADOES CAN'T CROSS MOUNTAINS, RIVERS, LAKES, HIGHWAYS
This is one of the most common tornado misunderstandings, but it has no basis in fact. There is no natural or manmade barrier that will disrupt the path of a tornado. This includes mountain ridges, rivers, valleys, lakes, and highways. There is abundant evidence of tornadoes crossing any and all of these features without any interruption at all to the damage path. Once again as a recent example, last week’s EF-3 tornado crossed the Ottawa river from Dunrobin to Gatineau.

ALBERTA | Rounds of snow
Big push of arctic air, MORE snow for Alberta, risk of 20+cm
Significant snow event to start the work week in heavily populated areas of Alberta

Saturday, September 29, 2018, 3:10 PM -    Here we go again. All the signals are there for moreearly fall snow after parts of the Prairies have already seen record-breaking amounts so far this season. As Arctic air pours in from the north, prepare for a few rounds of weekend snow in Alberta and the risk for significant totals through the first days of October as well. More on the timing and impact, below.

WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS:
    Record-breaking western ridgestrengthens and builds northward into Alaska resulting in colder air pouring into the Prairies
    A couple of lows track across the region bringing more snow to the Alberta foothills and Rockies through the weekend
    Temperatures stay cold through the weekend with a combination of Arctic air from Greenland and some cross polar flow from Siberia
    Widespread snowfall potential next week across southern and central Alberta

An Arctic trough has sent temperatures falling across Alberta once again, with some communities reporting snowfall on Thursday and temperatures near negative territory Friday morning. An extended period of cold weather continues across the Prairies for the final days of September.

During the weekend, more snow is expected for the Rockies and Foothills, which will spread across much of southern Alberta by Sunday. The snow will come in phases through the first days of early October as well with amounts will really start to ramp up for some southwestern regions.

"Totals will continue to build with the second upsloping snow event Saturday through Sunday around Pincher Creek, Lake Louise and up to Hinton with a shot of snow possibly spilling into Calgary's metro region by Monday," says Weather Network meteorologist Tyler Hamilton. "But it's areas like Pincher Creek that could pick up in excess of 20 cm of snow through Monday, with more snowfall ahead."

Another round of moisture and coinciding shot of Arctic air clash over southern Alberta next Monday through Wednesday, bringing a period of snowfall across much of central and southern Alberta.

While it is still too early to make predictions on accumulations or exact locations/timing, general consensus is that snowfall becomes more common away from the Rockies on Monday, increasing in intensity and spreading east and south Tuesday through Wednesday. There is even the risk for another round late next week, but we will continuing to track that after we get through the first initial rounds of snow.

LONG RANGE OUTLOOK
As we move into the heart of October, the Gulf of Alaska ridge should eventually begin to assert itself more, leading to warmer and drier conditions for B.C. Alberta is likely to remain on the dividing line between these two regimes, resulting in continued active weather and back-and-forth swings in temperatures. There is the potential however, for some milder weather to spread into Alberta towards the Thanksgiving long weekend and beyond.

Environment Canada issues weather statement as Halifax could get really, really wet
By StaffStarMetro Halifax
Mon., Oct. 1, 2018

HALIFAX—Cover up those plants in anticipation of a frosty overnight Monday and then batten down the hatches for heavy rain expected late Tuesday into Wednesday.

Environment Canada has issued a frost advisory for Monday night, advising people that “clearing skies and light winds will allow temperatures to drop to near the freezing mark in low lying areas overnight.”

A special weather statement is also in effect for Halifax thanks to a low pressure system approaching the Maritimes on Tuesday that’s expected to track across the Maritimes on Wednesday.

The federal weather agency advises that rain, at times heavy, will develop over the southwestern half of the province on Tuesday evening and is forecast to continue on Wednesday.

Total rainfall amounts may reach or exceed 50 millimetres by Wednesday evening over parts of the province.

As of Monday afternoon, Environment Canada was calling for rain and a high of 19 C for Wednesday.

After that, it looks to be mostly sun and cloud with seasonable temperatures, although the wet weather may return for the Thanksgiving long weekend.

Baby, it's cold outside: Communities across B.C. smash cold weather records

It was a record-breaking 2 C at the Vancouver International Airport Wednesday morning
CBC News · Posted: Oct 03, 2018 4:23 PM PT | Last Updated: October 3
Temperatures dropped across B.C., in some cases to record lows, due to a frigid air mass blanketing the province. (Tiplyashina Evgeniya/Shutterstock )

A frigid air mass has blanketed British Columbia, smashing years-old temperature records and dumping snow across the province.

At Vancouver International Airport, the temperature dipped to 2 C Wednesday morning, breaking a temperature record set in 1937.

There were other records broken across the province, including Prince George where temperatures dipped to -12.1 C, breaking the previous record of -9.4 C set in 1950.

Across B.C., daytime highs will be five to 10 degrees below the seasonal average.

There is one silver lining: the cold will be accompanied by sunny skies which are expected to last until the end of the week.
Drivers advised to prepare for snow

The same cold front which brought in the partly Arctic air mass also brought snow to B.C.'s Interior and Calgary earlier this week.

    Record snowfall wallops Calgary in 1st storm of season

Sheridan Lake got 45 centimetres of snow, while Rogers Pass got 32 centimetres.

Kurtis Strelau, director of education with the Young Drivers of Canada, said the snow is an important reminder to get prepared for winter driving conditions.

This means winterizing your vehicle, not just with snow tires — which are mandatory across some B.C. highways — but also with winter coolant, windshield wiper fluid and lights.
A map highlights the major routes where mud and snow tires are required. Drivers that go without could be prevented from travelling and face a $109 fine. (CBC)

Another tip? Know that everything will likely take longer.

"You really have to plan for more time," Strelau said. "There's a bunch of proactive stuff you can do to know that you are safe."

Neighbour came back from visiting their son and family in Calgary a few days ago, and were glad to get back to Ontario - where I was on the roof in short sleeves setting up my new sun recorder

This Province Broke 39 New Weather Records In One Day, Proving The Weather In Canada Right Now Is Just Insane

British Columbia has received up to 60 cm of snow.
Canada's weather has been all over the place lately and the only thing that's certain is how unpredictable it is. In some provinces, like Alberta and B.C., there's already up to 60 cm of snowfall. In others, such as Ontario, there's 20 something degree weather and summer is still going strong.

https://www.narcity.com/ca/bc/vancouver/news/this-province-broke-39-new-weather-records-in-one-day-proving-the-weather-in-canada-right-now-is-just-insane

Ontario: Cooldown and storms, but RECORD HEAT next

Saturday, October 6, 2018, 8:55 PM -    Rumbles of thunder accompanied rising temperatures back into southern Ontario on Saturday, in a subtle warm up after a freezing Friday morning. But warmer temperatures -- and near-record humidex values -- are still ahead, as Ontarians may be giving thanks for a blast of summer-like warmth by the end of the holiday long weekend. We take a look at the complicated temperature trend, and who still has a risk for storms, below.

LINGERING RUMBLES
Severe storms sweeping through the southwest Saturday evening will continue skimming across the lower Great Lakes into the overnight hours, gradually losing intensity with time. Locally heavy downpours are the main risk with these overnight storms.

Sunday looks to be a mostly cloudy day, with the threat for showers lingering here and there -- mainly across the Niagara Peninsula -- but most of the day will be rain-free.

The next major storm system with its eyes on Ontario will lift north into the Nickel Belt and beyond, taking most of the rain and thunder threat well north with it. That doesn't mean we won't see any effects in the south, however, as warm, humid air floods back into the region, starting on Thanksgiving Monday.

"For most of the GTA this means that a southeast wind off of Lake Ontario will hold temperatures in the upper teens," says Weather Network meteorologist Dr. Doug Gillham. "Meanwhile, summer-like weather will spread into southern Niagara and into areas west of the GTA with temperatures reaching into the mid 20s with a humidex in the low to mid 30s."

RECORD BREAKING WARMTH AHEAD: WILL THE TRUE AUTUMNAL WEATHER EVER ARRIVE?
By Tuesday there's confidence for more summer-like weather with all time humidex records in jeopardy. High temperatures are expected to reach the mid to upper 20s feeling closer to the mid 30s with the humidity.

The reason for this trend and the delay of a cooler more autumnal pattern is due to an upper level ridge across the southeastern portions of the continent, which continues to have much more fight to it than what long range guidance expected. This will be the case for next week as another anomalously strong upper level ridge sets up along the eastern seaboard. This results in a surface pattern, as shown below, with a strong area of high pressure over the eastern portions of the continent and generally lower pressure across the central portions. This allows subtropical air to push up from the Caribbean spreading into southern and central Ontario.

By Tuesday and through the remainder of next week, temperatures across much of the province are expected to run anywhere from about 5°C to nearly 12°C above average for this time of year. The warmest air is expected to be focused across southern portions of the province through the 401 corridor. Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to be the two mildest days overall with highs forecast to be into the mid to high twenties with humidex values running into the low to mid-thirties.

As we head into next weekend this pattern looks to change back over to a more autumnal pattern as long range guidance starts to weaken the ridge in the east and the trough pushes eastward. This will result in a fall storm setting up to end next week and will usher in a more autumnal pattern with temperatures getting back to seasonal or even below. The timing of when the fall storm pushes through is still yet to be determined as long-range guidance varies on this.

The question is, does the cooler more seasonal air stick around? Some teleconnection patterns and overall trend setting up does lean toward yes, but the upper level ridge across the southeast still lingers. This could give the odd push of milder air into extreme portions of southern Ontario at times, typical of fall, but overall the trend does look cooler for the province.

https://www.theweathernetwork.com/news/articles/northern-ontario-strong-fall-storm-heavy-rain-snow-dangerous-winter-driving-fort-frances-dryden-armstrong-fort-hope-geraldton-kapuskasing/114739

  Yesterday's hot and cold spots ... 

Hot spot in Yukon: 5.7 °C  42.3 °F Haines Junction
Cold spot in Yukon: -19.1 °C  -2.4 °F Dawson
 

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  Hot spot in Canada: 29.6 °C  85.3 °F Point Pelee, ON
Cold spot in Canada: -19.1 °C  -2.4 °F Dawson, YT
   

According to Environment Canada, B.C. broke 39 cold-weather records Wednesday.

These included 14 broken daytime cold records, and 18 overnight lows smashed.

Also, seven new snowfall records were set on Oct. 3. These included 28 cm (almost a foot) of snow in Sparwood, according to meteorologist Matt MacDonald with the national weather agency.

In Clinton, the temperature on Wednesday plunged to -14.2ºC, “smashing the old mark of -5 set in 2012.”

In Prince George, the mercury dipped -12.1ºC, breaking the old record of -9.4 set in 1950.


In the Puntzi Mountain region in the Central Interior the mercury dropped to a bone-chilling -11.6ºC, breaking the old record of -9.1 set in 2013.

The Mackenzie area also set a record -8.5ºC, breaking -5.5 set in 1990.

Even Vancouver saw a record low of 1.6ºC on Wednesday, breaking the previous record of 2.8 in 1937.

Other areas that set cold records were Quesnel (-8.4ºC,) Lytton (-1.2) and Lillooet (-2.9).

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/record-breaking-cold-temperatures-recorded-across-b-c