Why the other options are wrong:

• university policy changes during winter.: The report mentions cancelled in-person classes during the storm, not changes to university policy.
• power rate increases in Nova Scotia.: Power rate increases are not discussed in the report.
• long-term climate trends in Atlantic Canada.: The report covers one specific storm, not long-term climate trends.

Correct Answer: daily February snowfall.

Why this is correct: The report says Halifax recorded fifty-eight centimetres of snow in less than twenty-four hours, surpassing the previous February record set in 2004. This is a new daily February snowfall record.

Why the other options are wrong:

• number of school closures.: School closures are mentioned, but the record was for snowfall amount.
• winter low temperatures.: Low temperatures are not what set the record - it was the amount of snow.
• February wind speeds.: The record was for snowfall, not wind speeds, even though strong gusts also occurred.

Correct Answer: warmer ocean temperatures in the region.

Why this is correct: Meteorologist Lisa Grant said the storm was unusually intense and added that warmer ocean temperatures likely contributed to the volume of snowfall.

Why the other options are wrong:

• deforestation along the Atlantic coast.: Deforestation along the coast is not mentioned as a factor.
• late seasonal shifts in the jet stream.: Jet stream shifts are not discussed in the report.
• unusual wind patterns from the Arctic.: Unusual wind patterns from the Arctic are not given as the cause.

Correct Answer: snow removal was unsafe and ineffective.

Why this is correct: Transportation Minister Paul Adams said closures were necessary because snow-clearing crews could not operate effectively during the height of the storm. It was unsafe and the ploughs could not keep up.

Why the other options are wrong:

• a chemical spill blocked traffic.: A chemical spill is not mentioned anywhere in the report.
• planned construction projects were underway.: Planned construction projects are not the reason for highway closures.
• maintenance funding had been reduced.: Reduced maintenance funding is not discussed as a reason.

Correct Answer: cautious but informative.

Why this is correct: The report gives facts about the storm without panic. It describes closures, power outages, and cleanup plans in a careful and informative way. Officials urge people to avoid travel until ploughing is done.

Why the other options are wrong:

• critical of government preparation.: The report does not criticise government preparation.
• light-hearted and humorous.: This is a serious weather report, not light-hearted or humorous.
• angry about climate policy.: The report is factual about the storm, not angry about climate policy.