SnowStorms What Is Torrential Rain? Torrential rain is extremely intense rainfall that produces a large amount of precipitation over a relatively short period. It is commonly associated with thunderstorms and other moisture-rich weather systems capable of producing very high rainfall rates. Unlike prolonged heavy rainfall, which can accumulate gradually over many hours, torrential rain emphasizes the … Read more
What Is Heavy Rainfall? Heavy rainfall occurs when a large amount of rain falls within a relatively short period or when persistent rain produces substantial accumulations over a longer period. In Canada, heavy rainfall can occur during thunderstorms, slow-moving weather systems, tropical systems and prolonged periods of moisture moving into a region. The impacts of … Read more
What Is Overnight Heat? Overnight heat occurs when temperatures remain unusually high during the nighttime hours, providing little relief from hot daytime conditions. Instead of cooling substantially after sunset, temperatures remain elevated through the night and into the early morning. Warm nights are particularly important during heat waves and periods of extreme heat because nighttime … Read more
What Is Dry Heat? Dry heat describes hot weather that occurs when atmospheric humidity is relatively low. During dry heat, the air contains less moisture than during humid hot weather, allowing sweat to evaporate from the skin more efficiently. This can make dry heat feel different from humid heat, but it does not make high … Read more
What Is a Hot Spell? A hot spell is a period of unusually warm or hot weather that lasts for several days but may be shorter, less intense or less persistent than a major heat wave. Temperatures during a hot spell are typically noticeably above normal for a particular location and time of year. Hot … Read more
What Is a Heat Wave? A heat wave is a prolonged period of unusually hot weather that lasts for several consecutive days and is significantly warmer than normal for a particular location and time of year. Heat waves may involve high daytime temperatures, warm overnight temperatures, elevated humidity or a combination of these conditions. There … Read more
What Is Extreme Heat? Extreme heat occurs when temperatures become unusually high for a particular location and time of year, creating conditions that can place significant stress on the human body, infrastructure and the environment. Extreme heat can occur during a prolonged heat wave or as a shorter period of exceptionally high temperatures. What qualifies … Read more
A flash freeze occurs when temperatures rapidly fall below freezing, causing water on roads and other surfaces to freeze in a short period of time.
An Arctic outbreak occurs when a large mass of very cold Arctic air moves south into regions that normally experience milder temperatures.
A cold snap is a relatively short period of unusually cold weather when temperatures fall well below what is normal for a location and time of year.