{"id":187843,"date":"2025-03-16T09:03:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-16T13:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/?p=187843"},"modified":"2025-03-16T23:04:38","modified_gmt":"2025-03-17T03:04:38","slug":"expect-more-extreme-weather-due-to-climate-change-district","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/expect-more-extreme-weather-due-to-climate-change-district\/","title":{"rendered":"Expect more extreme weather due to climate change: District"},"content":{"rendered":"
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From the District of Muskoka ‘Climate Corner<\/a>‘<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This winter has been one for the history books with the amount of snow we have experienced in Muskoka. Extreme weather is something we can expect to see more of due to climate change. How we manage and prepare for this weather is important, as well as doing what we can to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions (GHG\u2019s) to combat the larger issue.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meteorologists have said that the storm in late November and December was the biggest in recent memory, dumping a reported 140 cm on Gravenhurst. And since then, massive snow fall has continued to land in areas across the watershed, with many communities reporting record-level snows. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Richard Rood, a climate scientist who studies the Great Lakes, says lake-effect snowstorms will likely intensify as the planet warms.1<\/sup> Lake-effect snow happens when there is combination of cold Arctic air and the comparatively warmer water of the Great Lakes, or any body of water for that matter. As the air passes over the lake, it picks up moisture in the form of snow and it falls on communities downwind, often characterized by intense and localized squalls. The warmer a lake gets the more moisture it picks up. Muskoka experienced an unseasonably warm fall in 2024, and some intense heat waves in the summer, increasing the temperature of the lakes we live around.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the beginning of December 2024, four of the five Great lakes had warmer average surface temperatures over the first 11 months of the year than any other in the past three decades, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.2<\/sup><\/sub> While lake effect snow blowing off Georgian Bay is not new for the region, the increased frequency and intensity of these storms are likely going to be a new reality for the region due to the warming of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another part of climate change is having large swings in weather from year to year. In the 2023-2024 winter season there was barely any snow, and it was mild. Now we are having more snow than we can manage and a much colder winter. Adapting to climate change means being prepared for these intense swings in weather.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The large snowpack we have now means there will be a lot of melting in the spring. We need to be prepared for a more intense flooding season this spring, given the large amount of snow [that] will melt and run off into our rivers and lakes. From the 2023 Muskoka Watershed Council Report Card, \u201cIn sequence, if there is enough snow, if it melts quickly, if heavy rain falls during the melt period, and if further significant rain also falls before the watershed drains then these components combine. If they result in 250 mm to 300 mm of water accumulation, then the watershed cannot contain this amount of water, nor can it release the water downstream fast enough due to physical constraints in the geography and we get flooding.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some tips to be prepared for a heavy snow season from our Emergency Preparedness Webpage:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Clear 911 Signs:\u202f After every snowfall, make sure your 911 address sign is visible. This small action can save paramedics valuable time in an emergency when every second counts. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Check on\u202fNeighbours: \u202fWinter can be tough for seniors and those with\u202fdifferences in mobility. Take a moment to check on\u202fneighbours\u202fwho might need\u202fassistance, whether\u202fit\u2019s\u202fclearing pathways or\u202feven\u202fhelping with groceries. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Shoveling\u202fSafely:\u202f Shoveling\u202fis\u202fhard work\u202fand can put strain on your body.\u202fDon\u2019t\u202foverexert yourself\u2014take breaks, use proper technique, and dress warmly. If\u202fyou\u2019re\u202ffeeling unwell, stop and rest. Safety comes first! <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Drive Cautiously:\u202f Snow and ice can turn roads into hazards quickly. Reduce your speed, increase\u202ffollowing\u202fdistances, and avoid sudden stops. Keep your car Winter Ready with snow tires and an\u202fEmergency\u202fKit. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Stay Alert to Conditions:\u202f Whether\u202fit\u2019s\u202fblack ice on the road or icy patches on walkways, always stay aware of your surroundings. Wear footwear with good treads, avoid rushing, and watch for hidden hazards.\u202f <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Prepare an Emergency Kit: Your emergency kit should have items for your family to remain safe and taken care of for at least three (3) days immediately following an emergency <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n