Arctic air breaks decades-old low temperature records in the Maritimes

While relatively short-lived, the blast of Arctic air in the Maritimes was enough to break some long-standing low temperature records for all three Maritime provinces Friday and Saturday.
Long-standing low temperature records were broken in the Maritimes on both Friday and Saturday.
Low temperature records set for a Feb. 3 in the region included:
NEW BRUNSWICK
-
New record: -27.2
Old record: -19.0 (1993)
Grand Manan (since 1962) - Miscou Island (since 1957)
New record: -25.2
Old record: -24.6 (2018)
- Moncton (since 1881)
New record: -28.1
Old record: -27.8 (1917)
- Saint John (since 1871)
New record: -28.7
Old record: -27.3 (2015)
- St. Stephen: (since 1951)
New record: -27.5
Old record: -27.2 (1961)
NOVA SCOTIA
- Brier Island (since 1937)
New record: -21.7
Old record: -20.0 (1938)
- Halifax airport (since 1953)
New record: -25.6
Old record: -24.4 (1971)
- Kentville (since 1898)
New record: -25.3
Old record: -23.9 (1955)
- Port Hawkesbury (since 1960)
New record: -25.5
Old record: -23.3 (1971)
- Yarmouth (since 1879)
New record: -21.8
Old record: -18.9 (1885)
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
- East Point (since 1967)
New record: -26.1
Old record: -25.0 (1971)
- Summerside (since 1898)
New record: -26.7
Old record: -24.4 (1931)
Low temperature records set for a Feb. 4 in the region included:
NEW BRUNSWICK
- Fundy (National Park) (since 1950)
New record: -28.7
Old record: -27.2 (1971)
- Grand Manan (since 1962)
New record: -27.1
Old record: -23.0 (1990)
NOVA SCOTIA
- Brier Island (since 1937)
New record: -21.6
Old record: -17.2 (1938)
- Port Hawkesbury (since 1960)
New record: -27.4
Old record: -21.7 (1975)
- Yarmouth (since 1879)
New record: -21.8
Old record: -19.4 (1967)
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
- East Point (since 1967)
New record: -26.9
Old record: -26.1 (1971)
- St. Peters Bay (since 1960)
New record: -26.9
Old record: -23.9 (1961)
In a number of cases, the standing record lows and weather observations go back several decades.
There was also the wind-chill factor. The coldest reported wind chill was at a weather station located at Mechanic Settlement in southern New Brunswick at -50C. A record? Not quite. Previous wind-chill values in the Maritimes include:
- -51 in Charlo, N.B. (Jan. 18, 1982)
- -51 in Amherst, N.S. (Feb. 14, 2003)
- -50 in Charlottetown, P.E.I. (Jan. 18, 1982)
Regardless, it has been very rare for the Maritimes to experience cold to the degree we had it Friday night into Saturday. The Arctic air moderated significantly Sunday into Monday. While some colder air will move back in for Tuesday, there are no signs, so far, that the extreme cold will return over at least the next several days.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Federal minimum wage, taxes on alcohol: Here's what's changing in Canada April 1
The federal minimum wage is increasing from $15.55 per hour to $16.65, and taxes are going up on gas and alcohol nationwide starting April 1.

WATCH LIVE AT 4 P.M. | Deceased found in St. Lawrence River were trying to cross U.S. border: police
The six people whose bodies were recovered from the St. Lawrence River Thursday consisted of two families of Romanian and Indian origins who were likely trying to enter the U.S. illegally, police said Friday.
Trudeau defends appointment of cabinet minister's sister-in-law as interim ethics commissioner
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is defending the appointment of senior Liberal cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc's sister-in-law as Canada's interim ethics commissioner.
Gwyneth Paltrow scores court win that means more than her $1 countersuit
Gwyneth Paltrow 's motivation to go to trial to fight a lawsuit accusing her of sending a fellow skier “absolutely flying” at a posh Utah ski resort in 2016 was about vindication. She got it when a jury found her not at fault in the collision, granting her exactly the $1 she sought in her countersuit
A 106-year-old from the Philippines is Vogue's oldest ever cover model
Vogue Philippines has revealed Apo Whang-Od as the cover star of its April issue, a move that makes the 106-year-old tattoo artist from the Philippines the oldest person ever to appear on the front of Vogue.
'Rust' set manager convicted in death of cinematographer
Dave Halls, first assistant director on Western "Rust, was sentenced on Friday for the on-set shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, marking the first conviction for the 2021 fatality which shook Hollywood.
Andrew Tate to leave Romanian jail, put under house arrest
Andrew Tate, the divisive internet personality who has spent months in a Romanian jail on suspicion of organized crime and human trafficking, has won an appeal to replace his detention with house arrest, an official said Friday.
Trump to be arraigned Tuesday to face New York indictment
Former U.S. President Donald Trump will be arraigned Tuesday after his indictment in New York City, court officials said Friday, his formal surrender and arrest presenting the historic, shocking scene of a former U.S. commander in chief forced to stand before a judge.
N.S. doctor denies alleged negligence in case of woman who died after long ER wait
A doctor named in a lawsuit after a Nova Scotia woman died in hospital following a long wait to see a physician has denied allegations from the family that he failed in his duties.