FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ENVIRONMENT CANADA INTRODUCES PUBLIC REPORTING LINE FOR SEVERE WEATHER

HALIFAX - December 21, 1999 - Environment Canada is asking Atlantic Canadians to report sightings of extreme weather in their area by using a new toll-free severe weather reporting line: 1-877-815-9900.

With the start of winter, the likelihood of severe weather such as freezing rain, and heavy and blowing snow increases, posing a danger to people and property. Winter storms and excessive cold claim more than 100 lives every year in Canada. That's more than the combined toll from hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, extreme heat and lightning.

By providing easy access to the region's weather centres year-round through a toll-free phone line, Environment Canada is aiming to enhance meteorologists' ability to track severe weather activity--particularly in remote locations. Members of the public are asked to report sightings of potentially dangerous weather as quickly and accurately as possible. The toll-free number is routed by area code to the nearest weather centre

"Local reports from individuals are invaluable tools in detecting small-scale weather events such as snow squalls or freezing rain," said Bill Appleby, director of Environment Canada's Atlantic Regional Atmospheric Environment Branch. "They can be the best indication meteorologists receive that damaging storms are occurring."

Along with its satellite and radar imagery, weather observation sites and computer models, Environment Canada has long depended on a network of 400-500 volunteer Severe Weather Watchers for gathering valuable meteorological information from areas throughout the Atlantic Provinces. The public reporting line will be one more step in helping meteorologists to issue timely warnings of extreme weather.

For more information on severe weather, visit the Environment Canada web site at: http://www.atl.ec.gc.ca/publications.html (under the heading, "Weather").

To find out how to protect yourself from severe weather events, contact your local Emergency Preparedness Canada office or visit its web site at: http://hoshi.cic.sfu.ca/epc.

Backgrounder

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For further information, please contact:

Stu Porter
Newfoundland Weather Centre
Environment Canada
Gander, NF
(709) 256-6611

Bill Richards
New Brunswick Weather Centre
Environment Canada
Fredericton, NB
(506) 451-6032

Al MacAfee
Maritimes Weather Centre
Environment Canada
Dartmouth, NS
(902) 426-9182