Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Top Weather Stories of 2024
Environment and Climate Change Canada has released its list of the top weather events for 2024. The year is marked by extreme conditions and record-breaking temperatures across the country. From wildfires to hailstorms, deep freezes to heatwaves, the federal agency says the list paints a vivid picture of how climate change and severe weather is impacting Canada.
Topping the list is the devastating wildfire in Jasper National Park, which consumed 16 per cent of the park’s forest and 30 per cent of the town’s structures. The blaze forced the evacuation of more than 12,000 residents and visitors. The summer inferno, fueled by extreme heat, is one of two wildfire events this year to prompt full-scale evacuations.
Calgary’s colossal summer hailstorm also makes the list. The storm caused over $1 billion in insurable losses, making it one of the costliest weather disasters in Canadian history. The city was pelted with golf-ball-sized hail, damaging homes, vehicles, and infrastructure.
Western Canada experienced a year of extremes, with a deep freeze in January followed by an unusual heatwave in the summer. Meanwhile, British Columbia was hit by atmospheric rivers that brought torrential rains and widespread flooding.
The top weather stories also included a historic heatwave in the Arctic, record precipitation in Montréal, and hurricane remnants battering Central Canada. Southern Ontario faced significant flooding during the summer, and Cape Breton was pummeled by a strong winter storm. Fort McMurray’s surprise June snowstorm was not among the contenders for severe storms.
Across the country, the combined impact of severe weather resulted in over $7 billion in losses and over 40 fatalities.
Environment Canada warns that such events are becoming more frequent and intense due to human-caused climate change. The agency’s annual weather roundup serves as both a reflection on a year of unprecedented challenges and a reminder of the growing urgency to prepare for a future shaped by a changing climate.