Canada faced a record-breaking year for weather disasters in 2024, with over $7.7 billion in insured damages from just four summer events, according to Environment Canada.
Calgary experienced the most significant impact, with a hailstorm causing $2.8 billion in damages. The storm became Canada’s costliest weather event of the year and the second-costliest in our nation’s history.
A June heatwave led to record-breaking temperatures across the Maritimes and caused school closures in New Brunswick.
These extreme weather events caused significant financial damage but also had an impact on human lives.
Environment Canada says a cold snap in January claimed dozens of lives among western Canada’s homeless population.
Flooding events in British Columbia, Quebec, and Nova Scotia were also added to the year’s fatalities.
Environment Canada stresses the importance of preparing for future extreme weather, citing climate change as a significant factor.
Find more information here on Canada’s ten most impactful weather stories of 2024.
