Cloud streets over the Atlantic Ocean

At the end of January 2026, a severe winter storm affected large parts of eastern Canada, causing exceptionally low temperatures across Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Cold, dry continental air flowed over the comparatively warmer waters of the Atlantic Ocean, creating favourable conditions for the formation of cloud streets.

This Copernicus Sentinel-3 image, acquired on 25 January 2026, shows the east coast of Canada, in which cloud streets can be observed emerging from the Gulf of St. Lawrence and extending into the Atlantic Ocean.

Copernicus satellite data support the monitoring of extreme winter events by providing continuous observations for weather forecasting and emergency response. These data help authorities assess impacts on transport networks, power grids, and ecosystems during persistent cold outbreaks.