Winter Storm Harold Event Summary

Weather summary

for New Brunswick

issued by Environment Canada

at 12:56 p.m. AST Saturday 26 December 2020.

Discussion.

A major weather disturbance brought strong southerly winds leading 

to record breaking temperatures and heavy rainfall to the province 

on Christmas Day into Boxing Day. The snowpack which had been slowly 

increasing during the month of December has melted away except for 

higher elevations in the north. 

The following are preliminary rainfall amounts in millimetres up to 

8AM this morning: 

Saint John Airport 52 

Oak Point 49 

Norton 48 

Barnesville 39 

Mechanic Settlement 30 

Point Lepreau 28 

Fredericton area 15-25 

Doaktown 23 

Strong southerly winds were reported during the evening. Peak wind 

of 82 km/h was reported in Fredericton, 71 km/h in Moncton, and 68 

km/h in Saint John. 

These warm southerly winds pushed the maximum temperatures to 

breaking levels in many parts of the province. The following areas 

set a daily maximum temperature record on Friday December 25, 2020: 

Bathurst Area (Bathurst A) 

New record of 13.7 

Old record of 11.1 set in 1964 

Records in this area have been kept since 1872 

Charlo Area (Charlo Auto) 

New record of 10.7 

Old record of 5.5 set in 2015 

Records in this area have been kept since 1966 

Doaktown Area (Doaktown Auto RCS) 

New record of 15.1 

Old record of 12.0 set in 2014 

Records in this area have been kept since 1952 

Kouchibouguac Area (Kouchibouguac) 

New record of 14.6 

Old record of 12.8 set in 1930 

Records in this area have been kept since 1924 

Miramichi Area (Miramichi RCS) 

New record of 14.6 

Old record of 12.2 set in 1964 

Records in this area have been kept since 1873 

Point Lepreau Area (Point Lepreau CS) 

New record of 13.3 

Old record of 12.5 set in 2014 

Records in this area have been kept since 1928 

Saint John Area (Saint John A) 

New record of 14.9 

Old record of 14.0 set in 2014 

Records in this area have been kept since 1871 

St. Stephen Area (St. Stephen) 

New record of 16.2 

Old record of 14.5 set in 2014 

Records in this area have been kept since 1951 

Woodstock Area (Woodstock Newbridge) 

New record of 15.3 

Old record of 13.3 set in 1964 

Records in this area have been kept since 1886 

Note: the temperature records reported here have been derived from a 

selection of historical stations in each geographic area that were 

active during the period of record.

Please note that this summary may contain preliminary or unofficial 

information and does not constitute a complete or final report.

End/ASPC

Weather summary

for Nova Scotia

issued by Environment Canada

at 4:36 p.m. AST Saturday 26 December 2020.

Discussion.

A major weather disturbance brought strong southerly winds leading 

to record breaking temperatures and heavy rainfall to the province 

on Christmas Day into Boxing Day. 

The following are preliminary rainfall amounts in millimetres up to 

2PM this afternoon: 

Brier Island 43 

Yarmouth Airport 35 

Greenwood 35 

New Ross 32 

Parrsboro 31 

Kejimkujik 25 

Kentville 24 

Strong southerly winds were reported Friday night into Boxing Day. A 

Peak wind of 91 km/h was reported in Brier Island, 85 km/h at 

Caribou Point, 85 km/h at Grand Etang, 81 km/h at Eskasoni First 

Nation, 78 km/h at Nappan, and 76 km/h at both Halifax and Yarmouth. 

These warm southerly winds pushed maximum temperatures to record 

breaking levels in many parts of the province. The following areas 

set a daily maximum temperature record on Friday December 25, 2020: 

Brier Island Area (Brier Island) 

New record of 14.9 

Old record of 14.4 set in 1964 

Records in this area have been kept since 1937 

Truro Area (Debert) 

New record of 15.2 

Old record of 13.5 set in 2003 

Records in this area have been kept since 1873 

Yarmouth Area (Yarmouth A) 

New record of 15.1 

Old record of 14.4 set in 2014 

Records in this area have been kept since 1879 

Note: the temperature records reported here have been derived from a 

selection of historical stations in each geographic area that were 

active during the period of record.

Please note that this summary may contain preliminary or unofficial 

information and does not constitute a complete or final report.

End/ASPC

Weather summary

for New Brunswick

issued by Environment Canada

at 3:20 a.m. AST Sunday 27 December 2020.

Discussion.

The following areas set a daily maximum temperature record on 

Saturday December 26, 2020: 

Bathurst Area (Bathurst A) 

New record of 13.0 

Old record of 11.7 set in 1964 

Records in this area have been kept since 1872 

Bouctouche Area (Bouctouche CDA CS) 

New record of 15.4 

Old record of 10.5 set in 1982 

Records in this area have been kept since 1965 

Charlo Area (Charlo Auto) 

New record of 10.3 

Old record of 4.5 set in 2003 

Records in this area have been kept since 1966 

Doaktown Area (Doaktown Auto RCS) 

New record of 14.1 

Old record of 12.2 set in 1957 

Records in this area have been kept since 1952 

Fredericton Area (Fredericton CDA CS) 

New record of 13.5 

Old record of 11.9 set in 1982 

Records in this area have been kept since 1871 

Kouchibouguac Area (Kouchibouguac) 

New record of 14.3 

Old record of 13.9 set in 1964 

Records in this area have been kept since 1924 

Miramichi Area (Miramichi RCS) 

New record of 14.3 

Old record of 13.9 set in 1964 

Records in this area have been kept since 1873 

Moncton Area (Moncton/greater Moncton Romeo Leblanc Intl A) 

New record of 14.7 

Old record of 13.9 set in 1964 

Records in this area have been kept since 1881 

Point Lepreau Area (Point Lepreau CS) 

New record of 11.6 

Old record of 10.0 set in 1932 

Records in this area have been kept since 1928 

Saint John Area (Saint John A) 

New record of 13.3 

Old record of 12.8 set in 1964 

Records in this area have been kept since 1871 

St. Stephen Area (St. Stephen) 

New record of 13.8 

Old record of 13.0 set in 1982 

Records in this area have been kept since 1951 

Woodstock Area (Woodstock Newbridge) 

New record of 13.0 

Old record of 11.7 set in 1964 

Records in this area have been kept since 1886 

Note: the temperature records reported here have been derived from a 

selection of historical stations in each geographic area that were 

active during the period of record.

Please note that this summary may contain preliminary or unofficial 

information and does not constitute a complete or final report.

End/ASPC

Weather summary

for Nova Scotia

issued by Environment Canada

at 3:19 a.m. AST Sunday 27 December 2020.

Discussion.

The following areas set a daily maximum temperature record on 

Saturday December 26, 2020: 

Greenwood Area (Greenwood A) 

New record of 16.3 

Old record of 16.1 set in 1964 

Records in this area have been kept since 1914 

Halifax (Shearwater) Area (Shearwater RCS) 

New record of 12.6 

Old record of 10.6 set in 1888 

Records in this area have been kept since 1871 

Kentville Area (Kentville CDA CS) 

New record of 15.2 

Old record of 15.0 set in 1964 

Records in this area have been kept since 1898 

Parrsboro Area (Parrsboro) 

New record of 14.4 

Old record of 12.2 set in 1964 

Records in this area have been kept since 1897 

Truro Area (Debert) 

New record of 15.3 

Old record of 13.3 set in 1964 

Records in this area have been kept since 1873 

Yarmouth Area (Yarmouth A) 

New record of 13.8 

Old record of 11.7 set in 1964 

Records in this area have been kept since 1879 

Note: the temperature records reported here have been derived from a 

selection of historical stations in each geographic area that were 

active during the period of record.

Please note that this summary may contain preliminary or unofficial 

information and does not constitute a complete or final report.

End/ASPC

Weather summary

for Prince Edward Island

issued by Environment Canada

at 3:19 a.m. AST Sunday 27 December 2020.

Discussion.

The following areas set a daily maximum temperature record on 

Saturday December 26, 2020: 

Charlottetown Area (Charlottetown A) 

New record of 13.7 

Old record of 11.1 set in 1964 

Records in this area have been kept since 1872 

Summerside Area (Summerside) 

New record of 14.6 

Old record of 11.7 set in 1964 

Records in this area have been kept since 1898 

Note: the temperature records reported here have been derived from a 

selection of historical stations in each geographic area that were 

active during the period of record.

Please note that this summary may contain preliminary or unofficial 

information and does not constitute a complete or final report.

End/ASPC

All Time Record Christmas Day Warmth Observed In Northern & Eastern Maine

000

NOUS41 KCAR 260353

PNSCAR

MEZ001>006-010-011-015>017-029>032-261600-

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CARIBOU ME

1053 PM EST FRI DEC 25 2020

...PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT...

CHRISTMAS 2020 SETS ALL-TIME CHRISTMAS DAY HIGH TEMPERATURE 

RECORDS ACROSS NORTHERN AND EASTERN MAINE. 

IN CARIBOU, THE HIGH OF 57°F/13.9°C BROKE THE PREVIOUS RECORD OF 48°F/8.9, LAST

SET IN 2014, AND ALSO IN PRIOR YEARS. WEATHER RECORDS BEGAN IN

1939.  THE AVERAGE HIGH ON CHRISTMAS DAY IS 23°F/-5.0.

IN HOULTON, THE HIGH OF 58°F/14.4°C BROKE THE PREVIOUS RECORD OF 53°F/11.7°C, LAST

SET IN 2014 AND 2003. WEATHER RECORD BEGAN IN 1948. THE AVERAGE

HIGH ON CHRISTMAS DAY IS 26°F/-3.3°C.

IN MILLINOCKET, THE HIGH OF 59°F/15.0°C BROKE THE PREVIOUS RECORD OF 53°F/11.7°C,

SET IN 2015. WEATHER RECORDS BEGAN IN 1903. THE AVERAGE HIGH ON

CHRISTMAS DAY IS 28°F/-2.2°C.

IN BANGOR, THE HIGH OF 61°F/16.1°C BROKE THE PREVIOUS RECORD OF 54°F/12.2°C SET IN

2014 AND AGAIN IN 2015. THE AVERAGE HIGH ON CHRISTMAS DAY IS 31°F/-0.5°C.

$$

CB

All Time Record Christmas Day Warmth Observed In Nova Scotia

Halifax sets record for warmest Christmas Day

2 other Maritime capitals also broke records for Dec. 25

CBC News · Posted: Dec 26, 2020 9:22 AM AT | Last Updated: December 26

Halifax had record-breaking high temperatures on Christmas Day, breaking the previous record set in 1996. (Portia Clark/CBC)

This year was Halifax's warmest Christmas Day on record since Environment Canada began collecting data in the 1950's.

According to Environment Canada's website, the city had a high of 13.4 C on Dec. 25. The previous record was 13.1.

The other Maritime capitals — Fredericton and Charlottetown — also broke their warmest temperature records for Christmas Day. Fredericton's jump was the largest, from 12 C in 2003 to 17.3 C in 2020.

High winds blew across much of the province Friday night into Saturday morning.

Thousands of Nova Scotians woke up to dark homes on Boxing Day. Morning outages were restored by noon, but thousands more Nova Scotia Power customers lost power in the afternoon.

Jim Abraham

@YHZweatherguy

Warmest Christmas Day on record yesterday all 3 capitals; Freddy warmest Dec day on record (17.3C). 

Still mild; 8K outages Amherst-Moncton at 7:30am.

Band of rain crosses Maritimes today. Wind subsides when heavier rain arrives & temps drop with brief change to snow (see pics).

That outage began around 12:30 p.m. Saturday and was caused by high winds and trees on power lines. 

According to the Nova Scotia Power outage map, power was restored to all but 13 customers in the province by 6 p.m. AT.

From the Amherst area over to the Northumberland Strait on Saturday morning, 7,300 customers were also without electricity.

A Nova Scotia power outage was affecting more than 7,300 customers on Saturday morning, mostly in the Amherst area. The utility had power back on shortly before noon. (Nova Scotia Power)

That outage began around 6 a.m. and was caused by damage to transmission equipment. It was resolved by 11:20 a.m.

Smaller outages were dotted across other parts of Nova Scotia by 9 a.m. Saturday, from Sydney Mines in Cape Breton to Liverpool on the South Shore.

Environment Canada issued special weather statements for much of the eastern portion of the province, which remain in effect.

Rainfall warnings issued for Annapolis, Cumberland, Digby, Hants, Kings, Lunenburg, Queens, Shelburne and Yarmouth counties have been lifted.

Some areas were expected to get up to 60 millimetres of rain, with maximum wind gusts of 70 km/h, and higher gusts possible over exposed areas. The rain could switch to snow as temperatures drop.

Rainfall warnings were lifted in the afternoon, but special weather statements remain in effect for much of eastern Nova Scotia. (Environment Canada)

There is still a Les Suêtes wind warning in effect for Inverness County, Mabou and north, with maximum wind gusts of up to 120 km/h expected until the evening.

The weather conditions are also impacting ferry crossings in the province. The Nova Scotia-New Brunswick ferry is departing from Digby, N.S., an hour early, according to Bay Ferries' website.

Marine Atlantic, which operates ferries to Newfoundland out of North Sydney, N.S., is also expecting all sailings to be impacted on Saturday.

High Winds Disrupt Power On Prince Edward Island

Maritime Electric outages largely restored on gusty Boxing Day

Up to 1,400 customers were without power during outage peak

CBC News · Posted: Dec 26, 2020 11:10 AM AT | Last Updated: December 26

Winds of up to 80 kilometres per hour are expected on P.E.I. Saturday. (John Robertson/CBC)

A special weather statement has now ended for Queens County, P.E.I.

The statement called for wind gusts of up to 80 kilometres an hour, with the potential of being even stronger over exposed areas.

More than 1,400 Maritime Electric customers were also without electricity for a portion of Boxing Day.

More than 1,400 customers were without power for a portion of Boxing Day. (Submitted by Maritime Electric)

The majority of the outages were in Cavendish, Mayfield and North Rustico. Dunstaffnage, New Glasgow, Suffolk and Toronto were also affected.

As of 4:30 p.m. Saturday, around 40 Maritime Electric customers in the Winsloe area were still in the dark.

The Confederation Bridge imposed restrictions on high-sided vehicles Saturday morning because of the winds, but those restrictions were lifted early in the afternoon. The bridge is now open to all authorized traffic, according to its website.

Charlottetown also marked its warmest Christmas in recorded history on Friday with the temperature reaching 13.2 C.

According to Environment Canada, the previous record was set in 1996 at 12.4 C. 

All Time Record Christmas Day Warmth Observed In New Brunswick

Warmest Christmas day on record for province's largest cities

All weather warnings ended for New Brunswick

CBC News · Posted: Dec 26, 2020 11:00 AM AT | Last Updated: December 26

Fredericton, Saint John, Moncton and Bathurst all recorded the highest Christmas Day temperatures since 1951. (Andrew Lee/CBC)

After a Christmas holiday with record-breaking temperatures, heavy rain, high winds and even some snow, the weather calmed down late Boxing Day afternoon.

By 3:45 p.m., Environment Canada ended all rainfall warnings and special weather statements for New Brunswick.

Saint John Police

@saintjohnpolice

Steady rainfall has left plenty of water built up on the roads. If you are driving, please reduce your speed to avoid hydroplaning, phone down and plenty of room for braking. Be safe.

12:02 PM · Dec 26, 2020

Despite the wind and rain, Christmas Day's balmy temperatures broke several records for the highest temperatures recorded on Dec. 25 since 1951, according to the weather agency:

Fredericton broke it's record by five degrees. Fredericton's previous high was 12 C in 2003. On Friday, temperatures reached a maximum of 17 C.

For Bathurst, the last record was 9 C in 2003. This year, the new record is 13 C.

The previous high temperature for Saint John was 12 C on Christmas, 2003. This year's high was 14 C.

Moncton's last record was 13 C in 1996. Temperatures reached a max of 14 C this year.

Elsewhere in the maritimes, Halifax broke its record by 0.3 C and Charlottetown broke the record by about one degree. 

High winds caused power outages Christmas Day in New Brunswick, leaving about 3,000 customers without electricity for some time on Friday evening. Most of these outages had been restored by NB Power Saturday morning. By Saturday afternoon, fewer than 90 households were without power.

As a result of the weather, Bay Ferries modified its sailing schedule for Boxing Day. The Digby to Saint John ferry left port an hour earlier— at 3:00 p.m. instead of 4:00 p.m.