Iqaluit Super Blizzard Update

With a reported 141km/hr wind gust and sustained winds over 100km/hr for the last 6 hours, Environment Canada has detailed a warning for the areas affected in Canada's north eastern territory of Nunavut. They are saying the center of the storm is expected to go over the capital region of Iqaluit tonight and winds should ease overnight but then re-fire in full intensity in the morning. Power has been going on and off in the region with roofs and building being torn apart. Many residents using twitter to update the world on this incredible weather phenomenon. Not the first time they get Super Blizzards but many saying it is the most powerful in many years.

CBC As It Happens posted this video from the scene this afternoon:

Post by CBC As It Happens.

You can view tweets as they come in from the search term "Iqaluit" here:

Tweets about "iqaluit"

Read the current warning from Environment Canada here

Power Out In Iqaluit, Nunavut - 135km/hr Blizzard Winds Reported!

Pray for those hunkered down in Iqaluit, NU the power has gone out and they are in the middle of a super blizzard with 140km wind gusts.The forecast says its only just started in Iqaluit and these winds (120 to 140 km/hr) will last for 2 days!

Here is someone I found tweeting from the storm:
Tweets by @Nunavut_Tweeter


Already damage being reported via Facebook:

 PJ Akeeagok

Next doors shed flown away! Stay safe.

Snow Storm Today!

Heavy blowing snow today across southern Saskatchewan. Windchill warnings for the north, winter storm warnings for the south. The snow has eased up somewhat in Regina but winds have really picked up, now gusting over 50km/hr. Super cold temperatures are to follow this weekend, windchills may be as low as -55C in northern Saskatchewan. Stay tuned! More footage being uploaded now...

Melting Today, Blizzard Tonight!

Extreme fluctuations in temperature are often a sure sign that a storm is brewing and this formula works its magic again tonight. Highs of +2C this afternoon will briefly melt some of the slush on the roads but this lovely weather we have experienced over much of the Christmas and Boxing week season take an ugly turn later tonight. Blowing snow warnings have already been issued in the south western areas of Saskatchewan in addition to the Special Weather Statement from Environment Canada, using descriptive words such as "Drastic change in the weather coming tonight." and "snow and rapidly falling temperatures" and "Holiday travelers should be aware that road conditions are expected to deteriorate throughout tonight into Saturday morning. Gusts could be as high as 70 km/h in the Cypress Hills early Saturday morning and localized blizzard conditions are possible there." also, "In the wake of this system, bitterly cold temperatures will prevail for the weekend"It should be noted that this system, known as an Alberta Clipper is currently tracking though central Alberta now and is coming from northern BC mountain areas where heavy snowfall warnings continue through that region. This is a slow moving but powerful system. Please take extra precautions when planning any travel this weekend. Be prepared for the worst and remember that the city areas usually do not feel the full effects of these storms but as soon as you get on the highway it can go from light snow to zero visibility and black ice. Do not venture out onto highways during blizzard conditions, it is not worth the risk. Keep up to date with the latest watches and warnings from Environment Canada and STAY SAFE!

Now that I am back from lake having spent the Christmas season with family there, I want to share some of the footage from that area in north central Saskatchewan. The snow is very deep in drifts due to constant blowing snow but for the most part, snow depth is average, much less than last year.

Here is a 28 day time lapse video from the wildlife camera, notice the temperature change from -2C at the beginning of December to -36C upon arrival before Christmas. Amazing that it survived the harshest of conditions for a month straight!

Extreme Weather Today

Northern Saskatchewan is holding the title today for the coldest places on Earth with the top 3 being Southend -43C (which is actually far north, no idea who names these places) Stony Rapids -45C and Uranium City -43C (which is really not a city lol). Luckily windchills are limited to a calm breeze but feeling like -51C.

See the current world's coldest temperatures listed here:
 http://www.wx-now.com/Weather/WxExtremes.aspx

As the extreme cold pushes south from the arctic, warm moist air is moving north east from the Gulf of Mexico. This is causing havoc across much of the eastern states and into eastern Canada with ice storms from Oklahoma to southern Ontario and severe thunderstorms south and east of that line. A Moderate Risk has been issued and tornado watches have been posted for many areas including eastern Texas into Louisiana.

Current storm situation from the Storm Prediction Center:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/

Some tweets from the ice storm in Oklahoma:

I stop to break the ice off the truck. New data has a lot of QPF from SW- NE OK over night major ice storm.#okwx pic.twitter.com/rKzhUWvz8b
— Jeff Piotrowski (@Jeff_Piotrowski) December 21, 2013

@NatalieTWN no mail today in Prince Edward County! pic.twitter.com/z29T3b8n8Z
— county country homes (@county_country) December 21, 2013

Definitely squirrelproof now RT @ChasingtheMeso A icy morning In SW Oklahoma. #ice #lawton #okwx pic.twitter.com/5DcIFpjVB9
— Jim Cantore (@JimCantore) December 21, 2013

Large, iced up limb comes crashing down while I'm taking pics of tree! Glad I was not under it. #okwx pic.twitter.com/hhvOZqNJfc
— JR Hehnly (@stormchasing) December 21, 2013

#Gemini in Norman, OK RT @okstormchaser: Large old tree split in half in Norman @tornadopayne @JedCastles @LaceySwope pic.twitter.com/nWtOxIcu8L
— TWC Breaking (@TWCBreaking) December 21, 2013