Heavy, wet snow and strong winds hit southern Quebec earlier than expected, causing slippery roads, power outages and some school closures. Environment and Climate Change Canada said the system intensified faster than forecasts indicated.

A rare series of powerful X-class solar flares and “cannibal” coronal mass ejections produced vivid auroras visible as far south as the Florida Panhandle, with UAF scientists calling it one of the most significant events in years. The storm briefly disrupted monitoring systems and could generate more auroras for days.