| Centre canadien de prévision des ouragans | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1987 |
| Jurisdiction | Canada |
| Headquarters | Dartmouth, Nova Scotia |
| Website | https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/hurricane-forecasts-facts.html |
TheCanadian Hurricane Centre (CHC;French:Centre canadien de prévision des ouragans) is an organisation that monitors and warns of the threat oftropical cyclones such ashurricanes andtropical storms. CHC is a division of theMeteorological Service of Canada (MSC), which is in turn a branch ofEnvironment and Climate Change Canada. Founded in 1987, CHC provides guidance to MSC's weather centres in eastern andAtlantic Canada, and is based inDartmouth, Nova Scotia. CHC frequently consults with itsUnited States counterpart, theNational Hurricane Center in Miami, to coordinate the tracks and positions of storms thatpose a threat to Canada.
1985'sHurricane Gloria and its less-than-expected damage promptedEnvironment 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 firsthurricane warnings were issued in2008 forHurricane Kyle, which struck nearYarmouth, Nova Scotia on September 28, 2008, and quickly becameextratropical while maintaining much of its strength into New Brunswick andLabrador.
The organization gathers information on tropical and post-tropical cyclones (systems in the process of becomingextratropical 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]
Whilehurricanes are relatively uncommon in Canada, they do approach or strike from time to time. Recent occurrences include:
Also of note due to its rarity and the damage caused isHurricane Hazel which hitToronto,Ontario in 1954, and remained a strong storm even after crossing over theU.S. East Coast.
