Ice Storm 1998

Ice Storm 1998

Jan 12: Prime Minister's Comments (CBC)

Preliminary map of freezing rain accumulations in mm between January 4th and 10th 1998.
(updated on January 23rd 1998)

The worst ice storm in Canadian History?

While freezing rain is not an uncommon Canadian experience, the ice storm that hit eastern Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick was exceptional. Environment Canada senior climatologist and resident climate expert, David Phillips, provides us with his analysis of how Ice Storm'98 stacks up in the record books.

A closer look at a rare event

Catch a glimpse of how Ice Storm 98 made its way through eastern Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick.

Is there a link to El Nino

Environment Canada scientists have been tracking the strongest El Niño in a century and a half and the phenomenon has been blamed in recent months for playing havoc with the world's weather. We've asked Environment Canada's Amir Shabbar, an expert on El Niño, to answer the question on many minds, "Was El Niño to blame for the ice storm?"

What about climate change?

Environment Canada's science advisor on climate change, Henry Hengeveld, helps us out with the question that comes to mind whenever we hear of unusual severe weather -- was this a sign of climate change and things to come?

Environment Canada and the Ice Storm

For today's forecast for major cities across Canada, visit Environment Canada's Green Lane website at: http://www.ec.gc.ca.

Be prepared! Winter watches and warnings

For the safety of people and property, Environment Canada issues severe weather warnings and watches and advisories to the public via the media, weather outlets and Weatheradio Canada.

Where can I find out more

The Green Lane^TM,
Environment Canada's World Wide Web Site.