Weather Statements
 

The Meteorological Service is responsible for issuing all Canadian weather alerts using a variety of different technologies. Watches, Warnings and Special Weather Statements alert Canadians to a number of weather conditions that are occurring or are expected to occur, that could impact the safety of persons or cause damage to property or the environment:

    * Special Weather Statements are issued for weather events that are unusual, cause general inconvenience or public concern and cannot adequately be described in a weather forecast. They are written in a free style to describe weather systems, potential development such as thunderstorms or long term trends. They may reflect a warning in effect near the USA border. Agent Immobilier Canada

    * Watches provide a "heads-up" that conditions are favourable for a possible summer or winter storm. A watch in the summer may be issued up to six hours before the event and in the case of winter events at least 12 to 24 hours in advance.

    * Warnings alert for severe weather occurring or developing. Activation of a specific warning takes into consideration local needs. Warnings for large scale event like snowstorms are issued ideally with least six and up to 24 hours lead time. Severe thunderstorm warnings, by their nature, will be issued less than one hour in advance.

Updated statements, watches and warnings are reissued or upgraded as needed.