Major spring snowstorm slams the Prairies with 10-20+ cm - The Weather Network

An unusually early band of lake-effect snow caused millions of dollars in damages when it blew off Lake Erie during the middle of October 2006. Dubbed the “October Surprise” by residents affected by the storm, the potent squall produced snowfall rates as high as 10 cm per hour in the hardest-hit areas. DON’T MISS: Snow and ice are heavy hazards that can damage trees, roofsLake-effect snow season typically runs from late autumn into the winter months. But conditions occasionally align to bring hefty totals early in the season. One of those early-season setups developed during the second week of October 2006. A strong low-pressure system over the Upper Midwest and northern Ontario sent a potent cold front sliding east across the Great Lakes. Water temperatures on Lake Erie ran several degrees warmer than normal for this point in the year, with surface readings hovering in the middle to upper teens. Meanwhile, the storm system ushered in unusually cold air aloft. The sharp contrast between warm waters and cold air triggered convection over Lake Erie. Strong, persistent winds oriented perfectly down the length of the lake organized that convection into one long squall.

Snow is a defining part of everyday life for folks across Canada. But even a close relationship with frozen precipitation can turn into a dicey ordeal at times. Canadians should beware the dangers of autumn snowstorms. These early-season systems can prove more hazardous than meets the eye. DON’T MISS: How to prepare your vehicle for the cold weather aheadSnow can arrive pretty early from coast to coastWinter weather doesn’t wait for the seasons to change before flakes start flying across the country. Calgary saw 24.6 cm of snow on Sept. 29, 2019, an event that cancelled classes and knocked out power to communities across the region. Winnipeg saw the exact same amount of snow the day before Halloween in 1971. A coastal storm walloped Halifax with 38.6 cm of snow on Oct. 20, 1974, which still stands today as one of the city’s largest single-day snowfalls on record. First snow is dangerous as people acclimate to drivingThe first snow of the season is always a doozy on the roads as drivers get used to navigating slick conditions. Traffic accidents and long delays are a hazard during any storm, but especially during the first coating on the roads.