Initiatives

Extreme Weather Events

A key indicator of climate change is an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events; many of our member municipalities have already experienced such extreme weather. Climatologists have forecasted that climate change in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence region will result in 15-30 more days over 35 degrees Celsius/95 degrees Fahrenheit, 10-20% more rain in the winter and spring seasons, snow days reduced by half and replaced by rain, and a doubling in the frequency of severe storms.

Each of the cities below has experienced extreme weather events in the last few years, and more frequent and more intense storms are expected in the future. Recent extreme weather events serve to help us understand the impacts and costs of a changing climate, and help up prepare for the next storm.  Click on each link to learn about an extreme weather event.

Extreme Weather Event Fact Sheets

Frozen Pipes

In the winter of 2015, many member municipalities reported an increase in frozen pipe incidents. Deeper frost lines led to frozen pipes and interrupted water service in many municipalities, and the Cities Initiative conducted a brief survey on frozen pipes and held a teleconference with Kerri Marshall, City of Thunder Bay, and Paul Clements, City of Toronto, who provided information about how their cities responded to the increase in calls about frozen water pipes during Winter 2015. A discussion among attendees followed (Presentations begin at 5:22).