A record-setting blizzard shut down parts of Labrador, forcing the closures of roads, provincial government offices and flights Tuesday, as well as schools in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, North West River and the regional College of the North Atlantic campus.
The potent low had already slammed Ontario and Quebec with a blast of widespread, heavy snow last weekend, and also brought strong winds and heavy rains to Newfoundland through Tuesday.
What contributed to the significant snowfall totals in Labrador was a strong jet stream aloft providing added support in the atmosphere, which further strengthened the low. The low's already ample amount of moisture was boosted by an additional, plentiful source of it drawn up from the Atlantic Ocean.
Happy Valley-Goose Bay received 75 cm of snow since Monday, shattering its previous two-day November record of 70.6 cm. It also broke its one-day monthly record with 46.6 cm received on Tuesday, surpassing the previous daily total of 40.6 cm. It is the 5th time in the town's history, since records began in 1942, that a 70+ cm snowfall event has been recorded.
At one point during the storm, snow was falling at an unbelievable rate of 5-10 cm an hour. Powerful winds with gusts between 80-90 km/h also made for treacherous travel conditions and prompted Environment Canada to issue blizzard warnings, urging drivers to avoid any unnecessary travel.
"Blizzard warnings are issued when widespread reduced visibilities of 400 metres or less are expected for at least 4 hours," said EC in the warning.
Below are some of the visuals from the paralyzing and record-setting snowstorm:
#nlwx
โ chelseabarrett (@chelseaabarrett) November 24, 2020
I hopefully we the forecast for another 30-50cm is wrong for today ๐คช pic.twitter.com/LTRSviPzew
Yes, it's still snowing in Muskrat Falls. #nlwx #nltraffic #projeclife pic.twitter.com/Jgo8WCuWw2
โ Carla Crotty (@CarlaCrotty) November 24, 2020
There goes my driveway....40 cms overnight and it appears as if most of it fell right into my driveway, 40 cms more to follow today. โ๏ธโ๏ธโค๏ธโ๏ธโ๏ธ #nlwx @rcbstormpost @cstclair1 pic.twitter.com/EG60ZnWpaq
โ Philip Earle (@PhilipEarle) November 24, 2020
Yesterday morning in #HappyValley-GooseBay #Labrador. Weather records from 1941 were broken. We even got coverage on โฆ@weathernetworkโฉ โฆ@CBCHereandNowโฉ โฆ@CBCTheNationalโฉ #nlwx โฆ@a_brauweilerโฉ โฆ@EddieSheerrโฉ #snowday Where's my car! pic.twitter.com/e54LhRltod
โ Denise Earles (@LabTwiggy) November 25, 2020
Significant portions of the highway system in #Labrador are still snow-covered. Parts of the highway system on the West coast of the island are also snow-covered at this time. #NLTraffic #NLwx #AlertsNL pic.twitter.com/GW1ss7C8Jv
โ Newfoundland and Labrador Alerts (@AlertsNL) November 25, 2020
The forecast snowfall in 24 hrs for Happy Valley-Goose Bay = more than several Canadian cities see in 365 days. #NLwx #LBWx pic.twitter.com/3TeXVJvFH2
โ Tyler Hamilton (@50ShadesofVan) November 23, 2020
Noon update: 65 cm at Happy Valley-Goose Bay #YYR. Snowfall rates have eased a bit, but wind is beginning to pick up.https://t.co/j9vk8g4f5m #nlwx #Labrador pic.twitter.com/8fHkUEYPdi
โ Rodney Barney (@rcbstormpost) November 24, 2020
#NLwx #happyvalleygoosebaylabrador #happyvalleygoosebay #NL #labrador #happyvalley #goosebay pic.twitter.com/SwaArxoOop
โ Shelly Toom (@shellymaycurl) November 24, 2020
Top photo in both collages taken 24 hours ago. Still snowing and blowing out there! #nlwx #snowday #Labrador pic.twitter.com/4GQqNWR7Ah
โ Amy Montague (@AmyMontague4) November 24, 2020
#Labrador snowfall through 8am:
โ Rodney Barney (@rcbstormpost) November 24, 2020
57 cm (Happy Valley-Goose Bay #YYR);
14 cm (Wabush #YWK);
5 cm (Makkovik #YFT).https://t.co/3yI5hXRGVj #nlwx pic.twitter.com/ifdZmVx8YW
12 hours down. About 12 hours to go. #nlwx #firstblizzard #muskratfalls #projectlife #nltraffic pic.twitter.com/B8BGmAZKax
โ Carla Crotty (@CarlaCrotty) November 24, 2020
She sure has a contagious laugh.
R.C.