Environment Canada launches new polygon-based weather alert system

Environment Canada has introduced a new polygon-based alert system across Canada to provide more precise warnings about severe weather. The goal is to reduce unnecessary alerts being sent to people who are not directly in the path of a storm.

Previously, when a severe storm warning was issued, alerts could be sent across an entire area, even if the storm was not expected to affect all of it. Under the new system, meteorologists will draw a specific polygon on a digital map to identify the areas facing the greatest risk.

This means mobile alerts will be sent only to people located within the storm's projected path or danger zone, while people living in nearby areas outside the affected zone will not receive unnecessary warnings.

The targeted alert system is initially being introduced for severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings.