A brutal polar vortex blankets Canada with record-breaking cold, heavy snow, and widespread power outages, leaving cities scrambling to protect residents.
Polar Vortex Grips Canada With Extreme Cold
Canada is shivering under a powerful polar vortex this week, as icy winds sweep across the Prairies and Eastern provinces. From Saskatchewan’s record-breaking low temperatures to Atlantic Canada’s snow-laden streets, the country is facing a widespread winter assault that has left many scrambling for warmth and safety.
Environment Canada warns that pedestrians and commuters need to bundle up, as wind chills make temperatures feel dangerously low, sometimes as extreme as –46 °C in Saskatoon. Meteorologists stress that frostbite can strike within minutes under these harsh conditions.
Atlantic Canada Braces for Heavy Snow
The Maritimes are preparing for a long-duration snowstorm, with snow, wind, and blowing flurries expected from Sunday night into Monday night, tapering off Tuesday. Nova Scotia could see 25–40 cm of snow, while southern New Brunswick may get 15–25 cm, with some areas near the Fundy coast possibly reaching 30 cm.
Meanwhile, Toronto faces its own winter challenge. The Greater Toronto Area anticipates up to 40 cm of snow, with temperatures dropping to –8 °C and feeling like –21 °C in the biting wind. The city has opened warming centres and increased shelter capacity, but advocates warn that available spaces are still far below the growing need for homeless residents.
Prairies Hit Hard With Record-Breaking Cold
Saskatchewan towns have shattered cold-weather records, prompting an orange warning from Environment Canada. Brad Vrolijk, a meteorologist, emphasizes the danger: “Skin can freeze in under a couple of minutes. Add even a light wind, and it becomes very hazardous.”
Saskatoon has escalated its winter emergency response, with officials urging residents to stay indoors and dress in layers to avoid frostbite.
Power Outages Leave Thousands in the Dark
Quebec residents are also feeling the storm’s bite as thousands lost power during the cold snap. In Côte Saint-Luc, an emergency shelter has opened, and Hydro-Québec reports that some customers may not see power restored until Monday.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, ice buildup forced the Bay d’Espoir power plant to shut down for the first time since 1967. Crews successfully removed ice, but power warnings remain, with rotating outages possible.
B.C. Enjoys Unseasonable Warmth
In stark contrast, Metro Vancouver is experiencing one of the warmest Januaries on record. Mild temperatures have coaxed early blooms of crocuses, daffodils, and cherry blossoms in Victoria and Vancouver. Climate scientist Andrew Weaver notes that flowers are “everywhere by the water” as residents soak in the unseasonably warm weather.
Canada’s winter extremes this week highlight the nation’s vast climate swings—from Arctic blasts freezing the Prairies to Pacific warmth awakening spring blooms. Residents are urged to stay alert, conserve energy, and check on neighbors, especially those most vulnerable to the cold.
