Preparing for extreme weather and climate change impacts
Winter storms
Winter storms usually occur between December and March. Winter storms include snow, freezing rain, high winds and cold temperatures. The snow, ice and cold can be challenging, especially if you aren't used to it, and these conditions can put people at risk of injury or harm.
Extreme heat
Extreme heat events occur during the summertime (usually between July and September), when temperatures are high during the day and night for several days. People are at risk of overheating during an extreme heat event. Temperatures can be hotter in tall structures (like apartment and office towers) and in direct sunlight.
Hurricane and tropical storms
From June through November each year, Halifax is on the path of hurricanes traveling up the East Coast of North America. These storms can be powerful and destructive, with high winds, heavy rainfall, flooding and coastal storm surge. People can be at risk during these weather events.
Download the full guide
- Preparing for Extreme Weather and Climate Change Impacts (ARABIC)
- Preparing for Extreme Weather and Climate Change Impacts (ENGLISH)
- Preparing for Extreme Weather and Climate Change Impacts (FARSI)
- Preparing for Extreme Weather and Climate Change Impacts (FRENCH)
- Preparing for Extreme Weather and Climate Change Impacts (KISWAHILI)
- Preparing for Extreme Weather and Climate Change Impacts (MANDARIN)
- Preparing for Extreme Weather and Climate Change Impacts (UKRAINIAN)
Protecting homes from climate impacts
The documents included below offer helpful tips on how to prepare your home for extreme heat, wildfires and severe weather events.
These guides were created by many organizations coming together to ensure that frontline communities are informed about climate impacts and equipped with tools to make them more resilient.
Three Steps to a Cost-Effective Firesmart Home
Three Steps to Cost-Effective Home Heat Protection
Accessible version
Accessible version
Three Features of a Wildfire-Ready Community
Three Steps to Cost-Effective Apartment and Condo Heat Protection
Accessible version
Accessible version
Three Steps to Cost-Effective Apartment and Condo Heat Protection
Learn more about emergency preparedness
For municipal emergency alerts and notifications, register at:
halifax.ca/hfxalert
Follow storm warnings and weather alerts at Environment Canada:
https://weather.gc.ca/city/pages/ns-19_metric_e.html
More information to help you prepare:
halifax.ca/emergency-preparedness
| Organization | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Organization | Phone Number | Description |
| 911 Emergency Services | 911 | Police, Fire, Ambulance |
| Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team | 902-429-8167 | Emergency mental health service |
| Kids Help Phone | 1-800-668-6868 | Professional Counselling available 24/7 |
| Transition House Association of NS | 1-855-225-0220 | Services to women and children experiencing violence and abuse |
| Organization | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Organization | Phone Number | Description |
| Non-emergency Halifax Regional Police Dispatch | 902-490-5020 or 902-490-7252 | Non-urgent police assistance |
| Nova Scotia Power | nspower.ca/outages | Shows where power is out and allows you to report outage |
| 511 Road Conditions | 511 | Information for road conditions, according or construction |
| 411 Directory Assistance | 411 | Search for a phone number |
| 311 Halifax Municipal Services and Info | 311 | Info on city services available in over 150 languages. Check halifax.ca/311 for updates |
| 211 Nova Scotia | 211 | Connections to community services |
| Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) | 902-423-3607 | Services & community connections for newcomers to Canada |
| YMCA Centre for Immigrant Programs | 902-457-9622 | Services & community connections for newcomers to Canada |
| Organization | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Organization | Phone Number | Description |
| 811 Health Information | 811 | Health information and advice |
| Community Health Team | 902-460-4560 | Free non-urgent health related resources and programs |
