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

Most look forward to winter in Labrador, says resident Roxanne Notley, but this winter is unlike anything she can remember, as people in the southern areas ead into Christmas with no snow and rapid melt is being witnessed 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 co-ordinator of cross-country ski programs, she said they're trying to make the best of it and are busy with work on the trails in the meantime.

Roxanne Notley said she can't remember a Christmas without snow before. The co-ordinator of cross country ski programs said she is still hopeful for snow before the new year. (Submitted by Roxanne Notley)

Rain and warm temperatures are breaking records around Labrador. Mary's Harbour broke the 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 closed on Monday and Tuesday due to concerns around weather and road conditions. The schools in Postville, Cartwright, Makkovik, Nain and St. Lewis also kept doors shut on Tuesday.

People can see bare ground in Makkovik as the snow melts along the coast. (Submitted by Kelly Andersen)

Environment Canada meteorologist David Neil told CBC News a deep low pressure system is passing over Labrador. Neil said it's carrying warm southern air and causing unusually warm temperatures.

Neil said the large warm storms usually track further east into the Gulf of St. Lawrence or eastern parts of Newfoundland. But this storm went across Quebec and into Labrador 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."

Dawn Rose Winters took a photograph of the pool of water by the school in Hopedale on Tuesday morning. (Submitted by Dawn Rose Winters )

Ricky Edmunds' yard was filled with water in Rigolet on Tuesday morning. (Submitted by Ricky Edmunds)

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

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 mm, Neil said. Higher terrain could see around 60 mm.

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

The warm weather was tough on Russ Austin's backyard rink in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. (Submitted by Russ Austin)

In Labrador West, resident Trena Pinksen said people are taking their time on the roads and she and the 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," Pinksen said.

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

Freezing rain brought flooding to some parts of Labrador City and Wabush on Monday and Tuesday. (Darryl Dinn/CBC)

Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Click here to visit our landing page.