Hail damage to a windsheld in Calgary. (Photo supplied by Stephan Cassley)

By David Opinko

Southern Alberta hail storm tops Canada’s biggest weather stories of 2020

Dec 16, 2020 | 1:05 PM

CALGARY, AB – While the COVID-19 pandemic and the U.S. presidential election were the most Googled searches of the year in the country, the weather has certainly left its mark.

Environment Canada has released its ranking of the Top Ten Weather Stories of 2020.

It factors in the impact they had on Canada and Canadians, the extent of the affected area, economic impacts, and longevity.

Coming in at the number one spot is “Calgary’s billion-dollar hailer.”

On June 13, grapefruit-sized hail caused “Canada’s costliest and the fourth most expensive insured natural disaster in history.”

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Approximately 63,000 insurance claims were made with over 32,000 vehicles extensively damaged. The Insurance Bureau of Canada estimated total damages from the storm at $1.3-billion.

Mother Nature left her “calling card” throughout Southern Alberta as well.

The province was reflected elsewhere in Environment Canada’s list with Fort McMurray’s “flood of a century” capturing third place.

Severe ice jamming on a 25-kilometer stretch of the Athabasca River caused water to back up, forcing 13,000 residents to evacuate.

Damages from nearly 3,000 claims are estimated at more than $562-million.

The full top ten can be seen below, and full details are available here.

1. Calgary’s Billion-Dollar Hailer
2. BC’s September Skies: All Smoke, No Fire
3. Fort McMurray’s Flood of a Century
4. Endless Hot Summer in the East
5. St. John’s Snowmageddon
6. Record Hurricane Season and Canada Wasn’t Spared
7. The Year’s Most Powerful Tornado
8. Frigid Spring Helps Canadians Self-Isolate
9. Fall in Canada – Winter in the West and Summer in the East
10. August Long-Weekend Storms: East and West