Impacts: extreme weather

Impacts of recent extreme weather events highlight the vulnerability of Canadian communities and critical infrastructure to climate change.

The economic costs resulting from extreme weather events in Canada in the past decade (since 1996) have been greater than for all previous years combined. Costs reaching hundreds of millions and even billions of dollars are associated with flooding, wind, hail and ice storms, hurricanes, tornados and wild fires in all regions of southern Canada, arising from property damage and disruptions in the production and flow of goods and services. Prolonged periods of unusual weather, such as drought, can also result in high economic costs.

Recent costly weather events in Canada, excluding drought

1998: Ice storm, (Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Canada)
Estimated Cost: $5.4 billion

1996: Saguenay flood, (Quebec)
Estimated Cost: $1.7 billion

1991: Calgary hailstorm
Estimated Cost: $884 million

1997: Red River flood (Prairies)
Estimated Cost:  $817 million

2003: British Columbia/Alberta wildfires
Estimated Cost:  $700 million

2005: Toronto extreme rain (Ontario)
Estimated Cost:  >$500 million

2005: Southern Alberta floods
Estimated Cost:  >$400 million

1996: Calgary hailstorm (Alberta)
Estimated Cost: $305 million

2003: Hurricane Juan (Atlantic Canada)
Estimated Cost: $200 million

Source: (2008): Synthesis: From Impacts to Adaptation: Canada in a Changing Climate 2007