Record-breaking warm weather brings rain, melting snow and mud to Labrador

Most look forward to winter in Labrador, says residentRoxanne Notley, but this winter is unlike anything she can remember.

Residents ofthe southern areas of the Big Land head into Christmas with no snow, andrapidmelt is being seen throughout the rest of a region that is typically covered in ice and snow.

"The winter has been crazy, just like everywhere else in Labrador. It's just unbelievable. We did not imagine not having any snow," Notley said.

"It's just been a fight against Mother Nature now and it's just been brutal."

The Port Hope Simpson woman said it's disheartening for people who enjoy the winter months.

As a co-ordinator ofcross-country ski programs, she said,they're trying to make the best of it and are busy withwork on the trails in the meantime.

Rain and warm temperatures are breaking records around Labrador.Mary's Harbour brokethe past record of 3.8 C set in 2010 with a new record of 7.7 C on Monday.

Labrador West, Churchill Falls, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Hopedale and Nain also broke temperature records on Monday.

All schools in Labrador West closedMonday and Tuesday due to concerns aboutweather and road conditions. Schools in Postville, Cartwright, Makkovik, Nain and St. Lewis also kept doors shut Tuesday.

EnvironmentCanada meteorologist David Neil told CBC Newsa deep low-pressure system is passing over Labrador. Neil said it's carrying warm southern air and causing unusually warm temperatures.

Neil saidthelarge warm storms usually track further east into the Gulf ofSt. Lawrenceor eastern parts of Newfoundland. But this storm went across Quebec and into Labrador on Monday and Tuesday.

"[It's a] very warm, very unusual air mass and a record-breaking warm spell," Neil said. "Definitely not what you kind of expect with Labrador winter, that's for sure."

Neil said Labrador West is usually hitting highs of 14.5 C, whereas on Tuesday morning it was 6 C.

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Several towns, including Churchill Falls, Hopedale and Nain, have broken temperature records, and heavy rain has caused flooding in Rigolet and parts of Labrador West. In a part of the province that usually embraces winter, one resident called the season a fight against Mother Nature.

Many places in Labrador were under freezing rain warnings and the Labrador Straits region is still under a rainfall warning on Tuesday, expecting 20 to 30 millimetres, Neil said. Higher terrain could see around60 millimetres.

"We do expect rain across areas of Labrador," Neil said. "[We're] still looking at some wet conditions to come."

In Labrador West, resident Trena Pinksen said people are taking their time on the roads and she and her husband are frequently salting their bridge and driveway to get ahead of the ice.

"It's a little unconventional for us here in Lab West to have weather like this. It's been a few years since we had rain in December, but it is what it is," Pinksensaid.

"Everybody's trying to keep their spirits up, drive safe and make sure that we still have a great week of Christmas."

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