1985's Hurricane Gloria and its less-than-expected damage prompted Environment Canada to create the CHC due to confusion between information received from the US National Hurricane Centre and US media and on-the-ground information and observations.[1] Its first hurricane warnings were issued in 2008 for Hurricane Kyle, which struck near Yarmouth, Nova Scotia on September 28, 2008, and quickly became extratropical while maintaining much of its strength into New Brunswick and Labrador.
Duties
The organization gathers information on tropical and post-tropical cyclones (systems in the process of becoming extratropical cyclones), predicts their evolution and assesses their potential impact on Canada. Their area of responsibility is bound by the Canada-United States border and extends into waters offshore Canada to 200 nautical miles (370 km). Like other hurricane centres, the Canadian Hurricane Centre makes presentations about tropical cyclones to schools, businesses, the media, and other governmental agencies. They also coordinate with the public concerning additional queries about hurricanes in Canada.[2]
Frequency
While hurricanes are relatively uncommon in Canada, they do approach or strike from time to time. Recent occurrences include:
Hurricane Lee, which struck Nova Scotia in September 2023.
Also of note due to its rarity and the damage caused is Hurricane Hazel which hit Toronto, Ontario in 1954, and remained a strong storm even after crossing over the U.S. East Coast.
