Monthly Archives: August 2025

Weather

What’s Happening with Erin Now

 

NowHurricane Erin remains well offshore of Atlantic Canada but is large and still potent, with powerful winds and swells affecting coastal regions.

  • Its effects are primarily felt as huge ocean swells, dangerous surf, and strong rip currents, rather than direct landfall.

Expected Impacts in Maritime Provinces

Nova Scotia

Newfoundland & Prince Edward Island

  • Similarly, watch for hazardous surf and rip currents, particularly along the Avalon Peninsula in Newfoundland.

Summary Table

Region Impacts Expected
Nova Scotia (coast) 3–5 m waves, gusts to ~70 km/h, rip currents
Nova Scotia (inland) Minimal wind or rain impacts
Newfoundland (coast) Rough surf, rip currents
Prince Edward Island Elevated surf and beach hazard risks
History

On This Day August 22

Notable Moments in Canadian History on August 22

  • 1914 – War Measures Act Enacted
    On this day, the Canadian government invoked the War Measures Act, granting extraordinary powers to manage the country’s efforts during the First World War

  • 2011 – Passing of Jack Layton
    Jack Layton, leader of the New Democratic Party and Canada’s Leader of the Opposition, passed away at age 61. His death prompted widespread national mourning, with federal buildings and the Peace Tower flag flown at half-mast Wikipedia.

Context from Broader Sources

  • OnThisDay.com highlights several events, including:

    • 1852: Tlingit people destroyed Fort Selkirk in the Yukon Territory—an event with territorial and Indigenous implications

Today’s Significance Beyond Canada

While these events may not be Canadian-specific, August 22 also marks some globally significant moments:

  • 1851 – America’s Cup Origin
    The schooner America won a race against British vessels, launching the iconic sailing competition known as the America’s Cup Michael Collins was assassinated during the Irish Civil War 

  • Other notable births and events on this date are detailed by sources like Britannica, though not focused on Canada 

Summary Table

Year Event
1914 War Measures Act enacted in Canada
2011 Death of NDP leader Jack Layton
1852 Tlingit destruction of Fort Selkirk (Yukon)
Weather

Current Status: 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season (Atlantic Basin)

Current Status: 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season (Atlantic Basin)

1. Season Overview

  • The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30. Wikipedia

  • So far, five named storms have formed—all of which have strengthened into at least tropical storms. Wikipedia

  • Among these, only Hurricane Erin has reached hurricane intensity—and significantly, major hurricane strength (Category 3 or higher). Wikipedia+1

  • The season’s Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) is approximately 31.0 as of August 20. Wikipedia

2. Storm-by-Storm Breakdown

  • Tropical Storm Andrea – First storm, formed June 23. Stayed over open water with minimal impacts. Wikipedia+1

  • Tropical Storm Barry – Formed June 28 in the Bay of Campeche. Made landfall near Tampico, Mexico. Wikipedia+1

  • Tropical Storm Chantal – Formed off the southeastern U.S. coast on July 4; made landfall in South Carolina. Wikipedia

  • Tropical Storm Dexter – Developed in early August along a stalled front off North Carolina before moving out to sea. Wikipedia

  • Hurricane Erin – The fifth named storm and first hurricane of the season. Formed near Cape Verde on August 11 and rapidly intensified to Category 5 by August 16, with maximum sustained winds of around 160 mph and a central pressure of about 915 mb. Wikipedia+1

    • Erin then weakened through an eyewall replacement cycle, dropped to Category 3, reintensified to Category 4, before weakening again to Category 2 by August 19. Wikipedia

    • Erin’s precursor caused nine fatalities in Cape Verde due to intense flooding. Wikipedia

    • It is currently impacting the U.S. East Coast, causing strong waves, rip currents, and prompting evacuations in parts of North Carolina.

3. Forecast Outlook

  • NOAA’s outlook predicts a 60% chance of an above-normal hurricane season, with 13–19 named storms, 6–10 hurricanes, and 3–5 major hurricanes expected.

  • An updated August outlook slightly reduces this, calling for 13–18 named storms, 5–9 hurricanes, and 2–5 major hurricanes.

Key Takeaways

  • Hurricane Erin is the standout: It’s the only hurricane so far, and dramatically intensified to Category 5—highlighting increased volatility, possibly linked to warming sea temperatures.

  • Early season activity has been moderate, though expectations remain for a busy peak season ahead.

  • Communities along the East Coast should remain vigilant, especially as Erin continues to generate dangerous surf and coastal flooding concerns.

Bottom Line:

The Atlantic hurricane season is underway with five named storms so far. Hurricane Erin has been the most intense—Cat 5 at its peak—and is currently affecting the U.S. East Coast. Seasonal forecasts point to continued activity through the fall.

History

On This Day Aug 18

Key Historical Highlights in Canada

1. Discovery Day in Yukon

  • In Yukon, Discovery Day is observed annually on the third Monday in August, commemorating the gold discovery at Bonanza Creek by Skookum Jim Mason (Keish) in 1896. This event catalyzed the Klondike Gold Rush and played a pivotal role in establishing Yukon as a Canadian territory National TodayTime and Date.

  • Celebrated with parades, cultural events, and festivals—particularly in Dawson City—the public holiday is deeply rooted in regional identity National Today.

2. Notable Birth—Jack Pickford (1896)

  • On August 18, 1896, Canadian-born actor Jack Pickford was born. He later gained fame in early Hollywood cinema and passed away in 1933 Wikipedia.

3. Death of Alfred Boyd (1908)

  • Alfred Boyd, the first Premier of Manitoba, died on August 18, 1908. His passing marks a significant chapter in the province’s early political history Wikipedia.

4. Celebrated Serviceman: Henry Thomas Shepherd (MBE)

  • It’s the birthday of Henry Thomas Shepherd, MBE (born August 18, 1895), a Black Canadian soldier who served with distinction in World War I—one of only 23 known Black soldiers at Vimy Ridge—and later became a Company Sergeant Major in WWII. He was awarded the MBE in 1944 ETFO.

5. Readers May Also Note

  • Although not uniquely Canadian, nearby: in 1938, President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave a speech at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario on August 18 during his visit to Canada Wikipedia.

  • On a global level, the Thousand Islands Bridge connecting New York and Ontario was dedicated on August 18, 1938 Wikipedia.

  • A tragic yet impactful event in Canada’s recent past: on August 18, 2003, Zachary Turner, a one-year-old in Newfoundland, was murdered by his mother—a case that led to significant bail-law reforms and inspired the documentary Dear Zachary Wikipedia.

Summary Table

Date Event
August 18, 1896 Birth of actor Jack Pickford
August 18, 1908 Death of Alfred Boyd, 1st Premier of Manitoba
August 18, 1895 Birth of Henry Thomas Shepherd, MBE – WWI and WWII veteran
Third Monday of August Yukon’s Discovery Day, celebrating the Klondike Gold Rush
August 18, 2003 Murder of Zachary Turner, prompting legal reform
August 18, 1938 Dedication of the Thousand Islands Bridge between US and Canada
August 18, 1938 FDR’s speech at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario