DARTMOUTH, NS, May 23, 2024
/CNW/ - Today, Environment and Climate Change Canada's Canadian
Hurricane Centre reminded Canadians that we face the prospect of a
significant hurricane season ahead. This annual Canadian update
followed the release of the United States National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Hurricane
Centre outlook for the 2024 hurricane season. The hurricane
season officially runs from June 1 to November 30.
The NOAA predicts an above average hurricane season this
year, with 17-25 named storms, 8-13 hurricanes and
4-7 major hurricanes in the North Atlantic Ocean. The
Canadian Hurricane Centre and the NOAA work closely together to
promote hurricane safety and preparedness throughout the season.
These are the highest numbers that NOAA has ever predicted during a
spring hurricane season outlook.
With a very active season ahead, it is more important than ever
for Canadians to prepare early. Named storms, hurricanes and major
hurricanes can cause significant rainfall, damaging winds, high
waves and storm surge, and these impacts are expected to be even
more significant with climate change. Global ocean temperatures hit
a record high in February 2024 and
North Atlantic temperatures have been at record highs for more than
a year. Warmer water in the tropical Atlantic Ocean is expected to
increase the number of storms this year. Overall, scientists have
already seen an indication of an increase in the global proportion
of category 3-5 hurricanes over the past four decades, and with
climate change, the intensity of the strongest hurricanes is
expected to increase globally.
Environment and Climate Change Canada's weather forecasting
systems give Canadians notice of approaching tropical storms or
hurricanes days in advance. These early warning systems are a key
measure to save lives, enhance adaptation, and reduce economic
hardship caused by weather and extreme climate events such as
hurricanes and floods. Canada has
invested $180.4 million in a new
radar network. The new radars provide more detailed observations of
precipitation type, precipitation intensity and storm structure
over greater distances, which allows Environment and Climate Change
Canada meteorologists to assess risk and issue warnings to the
public.
Through the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund, the federal
government has provided up to $300
million over two years, starting in 2022, to support local
communities and businesses affected by the last major hurricane and
to help long-term recovery efforts. Projects funded have included
investing in emergency generators for storm comfort centres, and in
wharf, pier and more resilient breakwater repairs and restoration.
The Government of Canada has also
provided $166.9 million in funding to
the Canadian Red Cross, St. John Ambulance, The Salvation Army, and
the Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC) through the Humanitarian
Workforce program, to help organizations develop capacity to deploy
critical on-the-ground support to provincial and territorial
governments during extreme weather events.
We must keep fighting climate change, but we must also be better
prepared for the changes we are already seeing and adapt to those
changes that are here to stay. Adaptation is about reducing the
impacts of these events and changes on Canadians and communities
and being better prepared to respond and recover. The National
Adaptation Strategy lays out an inclusive vision for Canada in a changing climate and the ways to
get there.
Get prepared for the season and pay attention to forecasts
with Canada.ca/hurricanes.
Quotes
"Canadians are experiencing costly and dangerous climate impacts
right in their communities. From floods, droughts and wildfires to
coastal erosion and storm surges, extreme weather events are
becoming more frequent and intense. For Atlantic Canadians, the
warming global oceans—including the Atlantic—are increasing the
threat of hurricanes, and this year, we need to be especially
vigilant and prepared. We've upgraded weather radars across the
region to provide more accurate, frequent and earlier storm
warnings—just one part of Canada's
plan to provide practical adaptations to this new reality while
cutting the emissions fuelling climate change."
– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and
Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada
"Helping to protect Canadians safety, communities, and
livelihoods from the next extreme weather event is a key part of
what emergency preparedness is. Forecasters are predicting a
particularly active hurricane season this year in the North
Atlantic. No matter the number of storms that make landfall in
Atlantic Canada, it is vitally
important to be aware and prepare for the costly impacts hurricanes
can have."
– The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, President of the King's Privy
Council for Canada, Minister of
Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific
Economic Development Agency of Canada
"After Hurricane Fiona two years ago, folks in Eastern Canada do not need to be reminded that
climate change is real. So as families and businesses across
Atlantic Canada are watching the
weather and preparing for the next storm, so is your federal
government. From equipping community buildings with generators and
supplies for safe shelter to building wharves that can stand up to
these storms, we will be ready."
– The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister responsible for the
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Minister of Rural Economic
Development
Quick facts
- During hurricanes, our meteorologists and hydrologists work
around the clock to monitor and predict hazards, and they work hand
in hand with provincial and territorial partners, helping to
promote preparedness and resiliency.
- Atlantic Canada has five new
weather radar stations operating in Chipman, NB, Gore and Marion
Bridge, NS, and Holyrood
and Marble Mountain, NL. Each new weather radar has a range of 330
kilometres.
- Budget 2024 provides $15 million
to advance a low-cost flood insurance program. By next year, the
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation will establish a national
flood insurance program, to be developed in partnership with
provinces, territories, and the insurance industry.
- On average, the Canadian Hurricane Centre responds to three or
four tropical cyclone events each year, with one or two of those
having impacts on Canadian soil and another two or three
threatening offshore waters.
- Typically, hurricanes are of greater concern in Canadian waters
later in the season; however, the Canadian Hurricane Centre
monitors the Atlantic Ocean year-round for any tropical or
tropical-like cyclones that could impact Canada or its waters.
- There is evidence that climate change has resulted in rainier
and windier hurricanes. There are indications that hurricanes move
more slowly and may be able to reach further north with warming.
The peak wind speeds of hurricanes are also expected to increase.
With higher sea levels from sea-level rise, the impacts from storm
surges such as coastal flooding will likely be more significant in
the future.
- Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorologists and the
Canadian Hurricane Centre work directly with emergency management
officials to lessen the impacts of tropical cyclones and
hurricanes.
- The latest forecasts and severe weather warnings are available
through our weather website, the WeatherCAN app (available for
Android and iOS devices), Weatheradio and Hello Weather
(1-833-794-3556).
- People in Canada can subscribe
to hurricane e-bulletins in the Forecasts and Products
section at Canada.ca/hurricanes or follow the Canadian Hurricane
Centre on X (@ECCC_CHC).
- To further help Canadians prepare for severe weather, we are
launching a comprehensive coastal flooding prediction and alerting
program. This new program allows our meteorologists to issue
coastal flooding alerts and forecasts using both the probability
and expected impact of an event. These can be made up to five days
out from the date of the forecast, providing emergency management
organizations and Canadians with critical information about the
risk of coastal flooding events before they occur. Canadians in
some regions may see coastal flooding alerts for the first time. In
other regions like Atlantic Canada
where coverage for coastal flooding events was already in-place,
the term used in alerts will change from "storm surge" to "coastal
flooding." These services will be implemented regionally through
spring and fall 2024 as Environment and Climate Change Canada
forecasters are trained on this new technology. To find out more
about these new services and how they may affect you, visit the
Predicting and Alerting Coastal Flooding page.
Associated links
- Hurricane Forecast Bulletins
- Get Prepared for Hurricanes
- Canada's National Adaptation
Strategy: Building Resilient Communities and a Strong Economy
- The Canadian Hurricane Centre: Helping Residents Stay Safe
Since 1987
- General Hurricane Information
- Canadian Hurricane Centre's Seasonal Outlook Presentation on
Facebook
Environment and Climate Change Canada's X (Twitter) page
Environment and Climate Change Canada's Facebook page
SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada