Euronews spoke to Patrick de Bellefeuille, a prominent Canadian weather presenter and climate specialist, on how Europe could benefit from Canada’s long experience with snowstorms. He has been forecasting for MétéoMédia, Canada’s top French-language weather network, since 1988.
Euronews: What are the main Canadian ‘best practices’ for dealing with heavy snowfall?
Patrick de Bellefeuille: Municipal authorities also prepare in advance. They know when snowstorms or freezing rains are coming. Regarding de-icers or abrasives used on streets and sidewalks, there are different types depending on the conditions. For example, if snow has fallen and temperatures drop below -15°C, sand and gravel are used. When temperatures are just below freezing, a salt-based abrasive that melts ice is applied. Authorities plan carefully and use preventive measures whenever possible.
Euronews: Right, but what we saw this week in Brussels and other cities is a snowstorm that caused huge disruptions, as if heavy snow was nearly unprecedented. Schools closed, traffic was chaotic, there were accidents, people slipped—it seemed like a lack of preparation.
Patrick de Bellefeuille: Here in Quebec, we have a law requiring winter tires from December 1 to March 15—it’s mandatory (…). That solves a big problem. We also have five “snow days” in our school system, when children don’t go to school if roads are unsafe. Decisions are based on road conditions: can children safely take school buses? If it’s too dangerous, a snow day is declared. At the end of the school year, if fewer than five snow days are used, school days are adjusted accordingly.
Euronews: What general advice would you give to Europeans to protect themselves from snowstorms? What do Canadians do?
Patrick de Bellefeuille: Even with 20 cm of snow, life goes on here—it’s normal. Our main concern is ice. I prepare by consulting forecasts and planning my day around weather conditions: when it will be worst and how to adapt. Consider public transport: buses have snow tires, which could also be done in Europe. Where winter tires aren’t mandatory, a plan B—like chains on buses—should be in place.
Not to nitpick, but Finland is in Europe and the Finns know everything there is to know about harsh winters. Euronews could have gotten good advice from within Europe too.
Yes indeed, you don't even need to go to the Nordics, winter tires and gravel for low temperatures are a common knowledge in the Central Europe too. I guess this knowledge also exists locally in the most of European countries otherwise considered warm: Greece, Italy or Spain all have high mountains where this certainly applies. And even the UK has Scotland. About the only countries which might learn anything from this are Malta, Ireland and maybe Cyprus, but they probably don't need to know anyway.
This article sounds like Euronews needed some fluff piece and happened to have some clueless journalist in Canada.
Suomi mainittu!
Was going to say pretty much the same. As someone who immigrated from a country that plays the "first snow traffic chaos ballet" every year. Here, the buses aren't even a minute late. I hear the comforting sound of the snow plow scraping the streets most nights.
"Who?"
No, that's a British band from the 60's