Wildfires are ravaging parts of Canada, with 2024 on track to become the second-worst fire season in two decades. Satellite data indicates that carbon emissions from wildfires have already exceeded the 20-year average. Reports indicate that the number of wildfires in Northern Canada has increased by 50% in the last three weeks.
Canada experienced a week of extraordinary weather, breaking multiple records for heat and rainfall across the country. A unique atmospheric pattern, known as a Rex block, caused temperatures to soar in the Arctic Circle, while remnants of Hurricane “Debby” brought torrential rains to Eastern Canada.
A landslide in Farwell Canyon, British Columbia, Canada on July 30, 2024, caused a large section of earth to collapse, creating a 1 000 m long (3 281 feet) debris mound that obstructed the Chilcotin River. As water pooled behind the blockage, authorities issued urgent flood warnings and evacuation orders.
Severe thunderstorms swept through Calgary, Canada on the night of Monday, August 5, 2024, causing extensive damage and closing parts of Calgary International Airport. Hail as large as toonies battered northern areas of the city, leading to dented roofs, shattered windows, and flooded streets.
Toronto recorded its rainiest month in history after receiving 215.4 mm (8.48 inches) of total rainfall in July as of July 30, 2024. This broke the previous record of 213.8 mm (8.41 inches) set in 1954.
A destructive wildfire continues to engulf parts of Jasper National Park and the adjacent town of Jasper in Alberta, Canada, leading to extensive evacuations and significant structural damage. As of this morning, the fire, which started due to lightning, has destroyed an estimated 30 – 50 % of buildings in the area.
Wildfires in northern Alberta prompted evacuations of three communities as the province contends with five significant blazes posing a severe threat to safety and infrastructure. Over 5 000 residents were affected, covering 62 000 ha (150 000 acres). Meanwhile, British Columbia is battling over 300 wildfires, exacerbated by a three-week heatwave. High temperatures and lightning have caused widespread evacuation orders, with firefighters struggling to contain the rapidly spreading flames across both provinces.
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.4 hit off the coast of Vancouver Island, Canada at 15:08 UTC on July 11, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 11 km (6.8 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.4 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).
Multiple wildfires burning in British Columbia and Manitoba have forced thousands of people to evacuate and spread hazardous smoke into the northern United States, prompting air quality alerts.
St. John’s, the capital of Newfoundland, Canada, received 53 cm (20.9 inches) of snow on March 8, 2024, breaking the previous daily March snowfall record of 50 cm (19.7 inches) registered on March 4, 2005. This marks the second storm to bury parts of the region in less than a month.
