Freezing rain, snow could trigger power outages in these parts of Canada: meteorologist

Environment Canada meteorologist Gerald Cheng on how wild weather patterns are impacting Canadians.

Large chunks of Eastern Canada are experiencing a mixed bag of weather conditions, with freezing rain, snow and strong winds affecting Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic provinces. While some are experiencing power outages as a result, one meteorologist from Environment Canada warns of more potential blackouts.

• READ: Freezing rain, blowing snow: Here’s what is in store for much of Eastern Canada

Gerald Cheng told CTV News Channel on Monday the strong winds expected in parts of Eastern Canada, mixed with the ongoing freezing rain, is creating weather conditions that are not ideal.

Environment Canada says the Greater Toronto Area, the Island of Montreal and surrounding areas could see wind gusts of up to 90 kilometres on Monday. Areas in Newfoundland and Labrador like Bay St. George and Corner Brook are also expected to experience strong winds.

“With the freezing rain, with the ice secretion on objects, on power lines, on power poles, and then the winds coming up to 90 kilometres per hour, that’s not a good combination, because that will lead to more power outages,” Cheng said.

While some parts of Eastern Canada could see strong winds on Monday, parts of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island are experiencing ongoing freezing rain, as well as snowfall in some areas.

• READ: Freezing rain warnings in place for most of the Maritimes Monday

Cancelled, delayed flights

The weather has also disrupted air travel, causing delays and cancellations at Toronto Pearson International Airport and Montréal–Trudeau International Airport.

Dozens of flights have been delayed and some cancelled at Pearson. NAV Canada issued a notice about delays earlier Monday, asking travellers to check the status of their flight with the airlines.

Montréal–Trudeau is also reporting delays of up to three hours, as well as cancellations.

Air Canada, which is a major operating airline in both cities, is asking travellers to check flight status regularly, and is offering rebooking options for affected passengers.

“Air Canada has revised its ticketing policy to make it easier for customers travelling on an affected flight to make changes to their booking without penalty, space permitting,” the airline said on its website.

“If your flight is affected, you can retrieve your booking to change your flight free of charge.”

There’s a similar situation in Atlantic Canada.

Most flights are delayed or cancelled at Saint John’s International Airport in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Halifax Stanfield International Airport in Nova Scotia is also asking travellers to check with their airlines for the latest flight information.

“Due to freezing rain conditions, aircraft operations are temporarily suspended until the weather improves,” it said on its website. “Crews are actively working to resume regular working conditions as safely and quickly as possible.”

Flights to and from Toronto have also been delayed at Charlottetown Airport on Prince Edward Island.

Potential blackouts

More than 80,000 in Ontario and Quebec are without power, with Hydro One reported that more than 60,000 customers were experiencing blackouts while Hydro-Quebec reported approximately 21,000.

• READ: Freezing rain, ice and wind: ‘Hazardous’ weather causing power outages, REM interruptions
• READ: More than 60,000 customers without power after winter storm hits Ontario: Hydro One

For Cheng, he says Canadians in provinces affected by mixed weather conditions should be careful of its ongoing impacts.

“We’ll still see some lake effect, but we’ll be stuck with the below freezing temperatures, and temperatures will be in the minus 10s, minus teens,” he said. “So we do have to be careful with the possible power outages that we get from this system right now so that we can be prepared for New Year’s Eve.”