The Canadian Press – Signs of drought in B.C.'s latest snow, water supply bulletin
Water Issues, Climate Insights Veljko Zaric Water Issues, Climate Insights Veljko Zaric

The Canadian Press – Signs of drought in B.C.'s latest snow, water supply bulletin

This new article published in The Canadian Press covers British Columbia’s most recent snow survey and water supply bulletin, which painted a concerning picture: despite a slight improvement in snowpack levels in March, the province remains at heightened risk of drought heading into spring and summer 2025. As of early April, the average snowpack is just 79% of normal— up from 63% on April 1, 2024, but still well below historical averages.

Read More
CityNews – Flooding reported in Toronto and parts of GTA following messy wintry storm
Water Issues, Climate Insights Veljko Zaric Water Issues, Climate Insights Veljko Zaric

CityNews – Flooding reported in Toronto and parts of GTA following messy wintry storm

This new article published in CityNews Toronto covers the powerful wintry storm that swept through much of Ontario the week of April 3, bringing a chaotic mix of snow, ice pellets, freezing rain, and heavy rainfall— leading to localized flooding in Toronto and parts of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). While freezing rain and rainfall warnings have now been lifted, the storm’s effects are still being felt across the region.

Read More
The Conversation - Wildfire season is changing in Canada — posing even greater risks to the nation’s communities and ecosystems
Water Issues Veljko Zaric Water Issues Veljko Zaric

The Conversation - Wildfire season is changing in Canada — posing even greater risks to the nation’s communities and ecosystems

This recent article from The Conversation highlights how Canada’s wildfire season is becoming more unpredictable and dangerous, posing increasing risks to communities and ecosystems. Once confined to late spring and summer, wildfires are now burning year-round. In 2024, Alberta’s fire season began in February, while Québec saw its fourth earliest wildfire since 1973 in mid-March. British Columbia also reported early-season fires soon after, underscoring the shifting nature of these extreme events.

Read More
Canada1Water Data Release Notice - Spatial Datasets of 30-Year (1991-2020) Average Monthly Total Precipitation and Minimum/Maximum Temperature for Canada and the United States.
Science Talks, News Veljko Zaric Science Talks, News Veljko Zaric

Canada1Water Data Release Notice - Spatial Datasets of 30-Year (1991-2020) Average Monthly Total Precipitation and Minimum/Maximum Temperature for Canada and the United States.

Development of spatial datasets representing 30-year (1991–2020) average monthly total precipitation and minimum/maximum temperature for Canada and the United States. These high-resolution (~2 km) datasets were generated using observed climate data from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), interpolated with thin-plate spline models to produce seamless geospatial grids.

Read More
The Guardian - California faces worsening drought despite recent heavy rainstorms
Water Issues Veljko Zaric Water Issues Veljko Zaric

The Guardian - California faces worsening drought despite recent heavy rainstorms

This recent article from The Guardian highlights how climate change is intensifying drought conditions across the southwestern U.S., despite recent heavy rainstorms. Earlier this month, California’s mountains saw over 6 inches of rain in just a day— yet the deluge wasn’t enough to counteract long-term drying trends. Communities like Malibu and Sierra Madre, already recovering from devastating wildfires, are now facing destructive mudslides, illustrating the region’s increasing vulnerability to extreme weather swings.

Read More
CBC News - Climate disasters lead to billions in insurance losses. Could they trigger a financial crisis?
Water Issues Veljko Zaric Water Issues Veljko Zaric

CBC News - Climate disasters lead to billions in insurance losses. Could they trigger a financial crisis?

This recent article from CBC News highlights how climate disasters are causing record-breaking insurance losses, raising concerns about a potential financial crisis. In 2024, insurance payouts in Canada exceeded $8.5 billion, driven by events like wildfires in Jasper and flooding in Ontario and Quebec. Meanwhile, the wildfires in Los Angeles alone could cost insurers between $40 billion and $65 billion CAD, the most expensive in California’s history.

Read More
Canada1Water Data Release Notice - Advancing Stream Network Classification for National Hydrological Models
Science Talks, News Veljko Zaric Science Talks, News Veljko Zaric

Canada1Water Data Release Notice - Advancing Stream Network Classification for National Hydrological Models

As part of the Canada1Water (C1W) initiative, the newly released stream network dataset provides a refined classification of the National Hydro Network (NHN), specifically addressing long-standing issues in topological structure and stream order classification. This dataset is critical for those involved in hydrological modelling, offering a harmonized framework that supports surface water and groundwater interaction studies at both national and transboundary scales.

Read More
The Conversation - Water is the other US-Mexico border crisis, and the supply crunch is getting worse
Water Issues Veljko Zaric Water Issues Veljko Zaric

The Conversation - Water is the other US-Mexico border crisis, and the supply crunch is getting worse

This recent article from The Conversation highlights how worsening water scarcity along the United States - Mexico border is creating a growing crisis for millions of people on both sides. Climate change is driving prolonged droughts, rising temperatures and declining surface and groundwater supplies, exacerbating water stress in one of the most arid regions in North America.

Read More
The Guardian - Climate crisis ‘wreaking havoc’ on Earth’s water cycle, report finds
Water Issues Veljko Zaric Water Issues Veljko Zaric

The Guardian - Climate crisis ‘wreaking havoc’ on Earth’s water cycle, report finds

The latest article from The Guardian highlights how the climate crisis is disrupting Earth's water cycle, amplifying extreme floods, droughts, and storms that impact billions of people worldwide. With 2024 recorded as the hottest year in history, these intensifying weather patterns have caused widespread destruction, resulting in at least 8,700 deaths, displacing 40 million people, and inflicting over $550 billion in economic losses.

Read More
The Conversation - Canada’s water governance and management systems threaten the country’s water supply
Water Issues Veljko Zaric Water Issues Veljko Zaric

The Conversation - Canada’s water governance and management systems threaten the country’s water supply

This recent article from The Conversation highlights how Canada’s fragmented water governance and growing consumption threaten the country’s freshwater future. Despite having access to 20% of the world’s freshwater, Canadians are among the highest per-capita water users, consuming more than twice the United Nations’ recommended limit. While Canada has historically avoided major water shortages, climate change and mismanagement are increasing the risk of scarcity.

Read More
Canada1Water Project Featured at the Pacific Climate Security Conference - Panel 4: Intersections of Climate, Security, and Justice in Canada
Science Talks, News Veljko Zaric Science Talks, News Veljko Zaric

Canada1Water Project Featured at the Pacific Climate Security Conference - Panel 4: Intersections of Climate, Security, and Justice in Canada

Dr. Steve Frey, Dr. Will Greaves, Dr. Ian Mauro and Dr. Nicole Bates-Eamer had the opportunity to present at the Pacific Climate Security Conference and Career Development Workshop Organized by the Climate Security Association of Canada/L'Association canadienne de la sécurité climatique (CSAC-ACSC), at the University of Victoria.

Read More