The December 19, 2013 ice storm was a “remember where you were” event. The storm was a result
of a low-pressure system that formed over Texas and made its way to Ontario
. The warm front from Texas mixed with the cold airmass in Eastern Canada. … The ice also caused branches of all sizes to break.
What was the worst ice storm in Canada?
While Ottawa and Montreal sustain, on average, over 40 hours of freezing rain a year,
the 1998 Ice Storm
resulted in 80 hours of freezing rain and drizzle with 3.9 in (100 mm) of accumulation in Montreal. By this standard, the 1998 storm was the worst event to hit Canada in recent years.
What caused the great ice storm?
On January 4, 1998, an upper level low system stalled over the Great Lakes,
pumping warm and moist air
from the Gulf of Mexico toward the upper St. Lawrence Valley. The upper flow then turned eastward, bringing this air mass down toward the Bay of Fundy.
When was the big ice storm in Ontario?
On
Monday Jan. 5 and Tuesday Jan. 6, 1998
, Ottawa was hit by 34 mm of freezing rain – covering streets, trees, buildings and hydro lines in a thick coating of ice.
What was the worst ice storm ever?
The worst ice storm in the history of Nashville, Tennessee, known as
the “Great Blizzard
,” began on Monday, 29 January 1951 and ended on 1 February, causing a complete shutdown of transportation in Nashville for two days.
What is the biggest ice storm ever recorded?
The Worst Ice Storm on Record (December 4-5, 1964)
Freezing rain caused ice accumulations of
up to 1.5 inches
and crippled east central New York. Many residents were without power for up to two weeks and schools had to be shut down for a week. Damage was estimates approached 5 million dollars.
Why did the great ice storm of 1998 happen?
The ice storm was the
result of a unique combination of weather systems formed over a huge swath of Ontario and Quebec
. When the systems converged, successive storms built up layer upon layer of sleet, not letting up until Jan. … Quebec’s maple syrup industry was severely affected as trees and syrup lines were destroyed.
When was the last big ice storm in Toronto?
The
December 19, 2013
ice storm was a “remember where you were” event. The storm was a result of a low-pressure system that formed over Texas and made its way to Ontario. The warm front from Texas mixed with the cold airmass in Eastern Canada.
When was the big ice storm in Toronto?
One of these was what has been called the Great Ontario Ice Storm of
1998
. The storm began on January 4, 1998.
How much did the ice storm of 1998 cost?
Several roads were shut down and massive power outages occurred, cutting off electricity for nearly 1.4 million customers in Québec and over 230,000 in eastern Ontario. The total financial cost of the storm is estimated at
$5.4 billion
.
Which Canadian city has a record setting snowfall that cost over $200 million in clean up?
Huge snowstorms, 80 years apart, clobbered Canada’s “snow-free” city with more than 55 cm of snow. The December storm dropped 80 cm of snow in 24 hours, 125 cm in five days with cleanup costs exceeding $200 million (including a record insurance payout for
BC
of $80 million).
How do you prepare for an ice storm?
- Insulate any water lines that run along exterior walls so your water supply will be less likely to freeze.
- Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows.
- Insulate walls and attic.
- Install storm or thermal-pane windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside.
Why do ice storms occur in Quebec?
“In the Ottawa area that moisture came northward and typically that warm air is lighter and it overrides the cold air.” So, rain is coming from warm air on top and passing through cold air below. If there’s a thick layer of cold air near the ground, the
rain coming through it
will turn to snow or ice pellets.
How much ice will cause power outages?
A quarter inch of ice
will glaze roads and seriously impact travel, result in some tree damage, and cause power outages. However, when ice accumulates to one half inch or more the major and crippling effects of ice storms occur.
What state gets the most ice storms?
The highest frequency is found over
Vermont
, eastern and southern New York, eastern Pennsylvania, and far northwest New Jersey, where some locations averaged 4-5 ice storms.
How do ice storms affect humans?
Ice can disrupt communications and power for days
while utility companies repair extensive damage. Even small accumulations of ice can be extremely dangerous to motorists and pedestrians. Bridges and overpasses are particularly dangerous because they freeze before other surfaces.
