Extreme cold temperatures, snow and winds across the US were to blame for poor weather conditions in Bermuda over the Christmas holiday period.

The island experienced rain and winds late on Thursday and into Friday morning, followed by gale force winds and a cold front on Christmas Eve with heavy showers and thunderstorms.

At LF Wade International Airport from December 23 to 2pm, December 28, 2022, 4.24in of rainfall was recorded.

Speaking yesterday, Michelle Pitcher, acting director for the Bermuda Weather Service, said: “A deep low-pressure system, bringing extreme cold temperatures, snow and winds across the US, pushed a cold front off the US East Coast during the afternoon and evening of December 23.

“This sent a warm front ahead of it with rain and showers into our area late Thursday night through Friday morning and also brought strong to gale force winds Friday morning into the early afternoon.

“The cold front arrived on Christmas Eve with heavier showers and thunderstorms as it stalled to our near west.

“Christmas Day remained mainly dry after some patchy early morning rain and then the front drifted back over our area on Boxing Day bringing more rain. The front continued to drift over our area at times through Tuesday, December 27.”

She said a low-pressure centre developed along the front early yesterday morning which “has assisted in pushing the front through our area to the east along with heavier showers, strong gusty winds, and isolated thunderstorms”.

Ms Pitcher said that the centre of a high system will be passing by to the north over the next several days, bringing drier and sunnier conditions to the area.

She added: “The next cold front isn't expected to arrive until next Monday or Tuesday.”

The poor weather caused some disruptions to those travelling overseas.

Passengers were left stranded on Christmas Day because of a delayed flight caused by storms in Canada.

Skyport said there were no local flight cancellations over the holiday but the major delay on Christmas Day saw the WestJet flight to Toronto scheduled to land at 5.39pm instead landing at 10.43pm.

A Skyport spokeswoman said: “Passengers are advised to stay in contact with their airline regarding any potential delays or changes to their flight status, especially during what is considered peak holiday travel season.”

Flights before the holiday were also apparently affected. Bermudian Valerie Adams spoke to Canadian news organisation CBC after she was left stranded at Toronto's Pearson International Airport following a major storm that affected parts of south-west Ontario.

The story said she had been stranded at the airport after landing on Thursday, December 22. It reported that her airline had not offered to pay for a hotel and she was left walking around the airport trying to get answers from staff.

Residents in Pembroke were left without power on Boxing Day after a transformer blew near West Pembroke School.

A spokesman for the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service said: “A call came in 5.39pm of a pole on fire near West Pembroke School.

“A transformer had blown, igniting the pole and compromising the overhanging wires. One wire was in the road.

“The road between West Park Lane and Princess Estate remained closed until the problem was rectified. There were no injuries. One appliance and four personnel attended.”

Motorists were diverted away from Middle Road in Southampton yesterday in the area of Five Star Island due to a collapsed embankment.

A police spokeswoman said that heavy rain had caused the collapse, blocking the westbound lane and causing traffic delays.

Relevant Government departments were notified to attend and clear the debris.

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