CANADIANS ENCOURAGED TO PREPARE FOR SEVERE SUMMER WEATHER

Halifax, May 31, 2002 – Being aware of the weather and knowing what to do during severe weather events can help save your life and protect your personal property. To remind you to keep safe this summer Environment Canada Atlantic Region, has designated June 2nd - 8th as Severe Summer Weather Awareness Week.

The long-awaited arrival of summer brings with it the potential for severe weather which can endanger both personal property and lives. Lightning, heavy rain, strong winds, hail and tornadoes accompany severe thunderstorms every summer in Atlantic Canada. . Even with today’s advanced technology used by meteorologists, severe summer storms can strike unexpectedly.

"Summer weather can turn in the blink of an eye, so in addition to listening to regular weather forecasts, it’s always a good idea to watch the skies around you when involved in outdoor summer activities," explains John Parker, Severe Weather Meteorologist with Environment Canada. "It’s vital that people be aware of the weather and know what to do in a weather emergency in order to protect themselves and their property."

Several severe summer thunderstorms and six tropical cyclones passed through the Atlantic region last year. Three of these tropical cyclones passed just off Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula, bringing strong winds and heavy rains to the area. Tropical Storm Karen made landfall in southwestern Nova Scotia giving heavy wind and rain to the province. Any one of these storms can endanger people both on land or at sea.

Weather watches and warnings are issued by Environment Canada when there is developing weather which may become threatening. If a severe weather warning is issued for your area, take action—secure loose outdoor objects, close windows, garages and barn doors, and take shelter. If severe winds develop, go to a basement or small interior room. Stay away from windows and avoid large open structures such as arenas, malls, gymnasiums or barns.

As part of Severe Summer Weather Awareness Week, Environment Canada has developed a special web site which provides key information from a number of different sources to help Atlantic Canadians prepare for extreme weather events. The web site contains information on the types of severe weather we can expect in this part of the country, links to web sites on lightning safety, guides for preparing storm kits and other key information. In addition, a special severe weather quiz invites contestants to submit their answers with the chance of winning their own Weatheradio. The web site address is: http://www.atl.ec.gc.ca/weather/severe

As Canada’s official source for weather warnings, Environment Canada offers a number of ways for the public to get the latest weather information. Environment Canada weather information and warnings are provided to radio and television stations and are available in some areas through special services such as VHF-FM Weatheradio and cable television stations. Weather forecasts are also available on recorded phone lines and on the Internet at http://www.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca.

For more information please contact:

Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island
John Parker
Severe Weather Meteorologist
Maritimes Weather Centre
Environment Canada
(902)426-9181


Newfoundland
Bruce Whiffen
Severe Weather Meteorologist
Newfoundland Weather Office
Environment Canada
(709)772-7349


New Brunswick
Bernard Duguay
Severe Weather Meteorologist
New Brunswick Weather Centre
(506) 451-6011