Extreme weather increases
SYDNEY — Nova Scotia has seen an increase in the severity of extreme weather events in recent years and experts say that’s not likely to change.
The result of climate change on coastal Nova Scotia as well as and Newfoundland and Labrador is “more intense weather systems,” according to SaltWire chief meteorologist Cindy Day.
“Since the 1980s … there’s been a very marked rise in the severity of weather events,” said Day. These changes are being seen across eastern Canada, especially in the storms affecting Cape Breton and Newfoundland.
A Nova Scotia Power spokesperson agreed, adding we’re also seeing an increase in the frequency of bad weather and it can vary between in-land and coastal areas.
The rise in severe weather has brought increased wind gusts exceeding 80 km/h each year, according to the spokesperson, who noted there was “over 150 hours in 2019 compared to just over 20 hours in 2009. On average we have seen the hours of wind speeds above 80km/hr double from (2009-14) levels.”
In 2016, hurricane Matthew “was the costliest tropical storm since Sandy and the first Atlantic Category 5 hurricane in nine years,” according to the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society. “Cape Breton Island bore the brunt of the storm. Sydney received 225 mm of rain, which shattered the city’s previous one-day rainfall of 129 mm.”
In 2019, winds, rain and waves from hurricane Dorian destroyed more of Nova Scotia’s physical infrastructure “than any storm in the past,” according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.
“With hurricane Dorian, Nova Scotia Power faced the single most damaging storm in its history, with 412,000 or 80 per cent of their customers affected,” said Environment Canada. The Category 2 storm had sustained winds of 155 km/h before making landfall in Halifax and pounded Atlantic Canada with heavy rain, wind and significant waves.
Hurricane Teddy in 2020 was no different. According to Environment Canada, it “was the most impactful Canadian tropical storm” of that year … the storm churned up 15-metre waves offshore, dropped over 100 mm of rain in places and produced maximum wind gusts over 130 km/h. Cape Breton Island took the biggest hit with 132 mm of rain and wind speeds of 145 km/h.”
The Insurance Bureau of Canada has noted that claim payouts from severe weather have doubled every five to 10 years since the 1980s.
What does this mean for the future of eastern Canada’s weather?
“I think we’re going to be looking at more concerns along the coast in terms of damage for the coastline and flooding, with high storm surge,” said Day. Coastal areas can expect to see impact from flooding that can take a toll on fishing, as well as those with cottages or homes in the area.
She said it’s also important to note that these intense storm systems can bring not just “tropical storms and powerful rainstorms, but also intense snowstorms.”
Day said it’s important to talk about this now, and what it means for future planning.
“It’s not a problem that our grandchildren will deal with anymore, it’s a problem that we or our children will deal with sooner than later.”