Winter

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Catchfire Catchfire's picture
Winter

Back in the day when I lived in Montréal, we used to have this thing called winter. Frozen water fell from the sky and you purchased long, elegant wool coats from used clothing shops or extraordinarily ugly parkas from Kanuk. Over the last four years or so, I have been living in places where winter hasn't been invented yet (we tried to import it here in Vancouver last year with a multi-billion dollar event. Success is middling). So it's hard for me to remember what winter looks like.

This weekend it may go down to -3º. Brrrrrr! What's happening in your ecosystem?

bagkitty bagkitty's picture

It is -15 as I type, it is predicted to go down to -20 later in the day. I had to shovel snow three times yesterday to keep the sidewalks clear (lots of drifts), and I have been putting off going out today and doing the same thing. Fortunately it is cold enough that the snow is light and powdery. I did a quick check, when you factor in windchill it feels like -26 outside (courtesy of the weather network).

Shame on you for calling Kanuk's parkas "extraordinarily ugly".

Timebandit Timebandit's picture

According to Environment Canada's site, it's -8, -19 with wind chill.  It's snowing and the visibility is reduced to about half a kilometre.

I wore my knee-length downfill coat today, with ski gloves to dig Malificent out of the snowdrift so I could drive to work.

RosaL

-13 here and endlessly, endlessly snowing. 

absentia

Still a tad above freezing; small flurries and splotches, but no lasting snow as yet: it's coming tonight. The wind even died down for a while and it was light enough to bother turning the solar panel. Gathered in the very last bits of kindling; have cozy fire. Only the ex-barn-cats are willing to go out. Brisk traffic on the birdfeeder includes a family of cardinals: mom, dad and a teenager of each sex. I picked out the yarn for crocheted slippers.

al-Qa'bong

The bike ride home will be more of a challenge than the ride in to work this morning. 

She's been snowing all day (they say 5 cm but it seems like more) but it's only -12, so it's not too cold yet.

polly bee

Waited five hours yesterday to have winter tires put on the car.  Maybe should have done that earlier.

RosaL

al-Qa'bong wrote:

The bike ride home will be more of a challenge than the ride in to work this morning. 

She's been snowing all day (they say 5 cm but it seems like more) but it's only -12, so it's not too cold yet.

I'd say we've almost got a blizzard up here. What's it like in Saskatoon? (I was going to drive down there today but cancelled due to the weather. I'm glad I did.)

Catchfire Catchfire's picture

Sorry, bagkitty, I should have been more specific. Kanuk parkas are the most extraordinarily ugly parkas you can buy for 600$.

It's dark and overcast here, if it's not raining, which it does most of the time. I'm thinking of a Scottish saying I heard when I was living in the last place which rained for most of the year: "The winter's no good and the summer's no better."

I'm not sure I'd prefer a blizzard, though. Hard to say.

Timebandit Timebandit's picture

Blizzards are awesome if you don't have to go anywhere.  Just curl up by the fire with the dogs at my feet, cats at shoulder or lap, mug of something hot (cocoa with a drop of rum in it?)...  Nice place to be.

al-Qa'bong

RosaL wrote:

al-Qa'bong wrote:

The bike ride home will be more of a challenge than the ride in to work this morning. 

She's been snowing all day (they say 5 cm but it seems like more) but it's only -12, so it's not too cold yet.

I'd say we've almost got a blizzard up here. What's it like in Saskatoon? (I was going to drive down there today but cancelled due to the weather. I'm glad I did.)

I had to do a few portages where the snow was too deep, and I was forced to ride on the road going up the Broadway bridge rather than the sidewalk going up the bridge, but other than that it wasn't too bad.  The drivers were even accomodating.  Nobody honked or made rude gestures or anything.  I think it may be because of Rider Nation solidarity.

While I was riding I was thinking that someone should write a song about cycling through a Saskatchewan blizzard.  Such a song could be the next "Canadian Railroad Trilogy."

jrootham

Depending on who picks up the challenge, it might be more the next "Canada's Really Big".

Pogo Pogo's picture

Snow in Chilliwack.  Otherwise it is pretty standard rainforest winter weather.  Rain followed by drizzle.

autoworker autoworker's picture

Yuk!

Boom Boom Boom Boom's picture

I hope we here on the Quebec coast have another very mild winter last the last one. Depends on whether the Gulf Current is diverted again, I guess.

Refuge Refuge's picture

Timebandit wrote:

Blizzards are awesome if you don't have to go anywhere.  Just curl up by the fire with the dogs at my feet, cats at shoulder or lap, mug of something hot (cocoa with a drop of rum in it?)...  Nice place to be.

I agree.  I love watching snow and snowstorms curled up on the couch with hot chocolate, can't wait to share that with my little boy this year.  He loves to look out the window and watch the snow already.

Wilf Day

Still mild in Port Hope. Clear, minus 1, slight breeze, sunny tomorrow with temperature rising to 6 above. Might see a little wet snow by Wednesday, if I don't blink and miss it like I did with the first snow of the winter here.

Once winter starts, if I drive away from the lake and over the ridge to Peterborough it may be 20 degrees colder. Not yet: only 2 degrees difference. Not winter yet. 

 

Monashee1

Cold in Calgary- more snow and cold weather to come- for a change it feels like the early 70's!

E.Tamaran

Wilf Day wrote:

Still mild in Port Hope.   

All that radium in your soil will help keep things warm.

al-Qa'bong

It was -26 this morning with what they say is a wind chill of -36.  I didn't really notice much of a wind, and it didn't seem too terribly cold.  Cars had nicely packed the snow on the roads so I had decent traction.  I left a half-hour early to avoid the pre-8:00 rush on the roads, so the traffic was fairly light too.  All in all, a pleasant bike ride.

remind remind's picture

Looking out the window it looks like a Christmas card, as we had our first snow fall yesterday. Fire is crackling in our 'family room ' which is actually the garage, but we have turned it into a hang out. ;)

Had to shovel a whack load of snow from our drive ways, which we had thought we would not have to do this year, as we finally decided we were old enough for a snow blower.

However, it is not  tuned up yet (we got it 2nd hand) after delivering it to the tune up guy last May. Things move pretty slowly in small towns, or at least this one. 

Apparently, it is not the item delivered for fxing that comes first, it is the seasonal item which comes first for fixing. So, it was put behind the roto tillers for spring, the lawn mowers for summer, and the chain saws for fall....Perhaps if we had taken it in in April we would have it now? :D

RosaL

al-Qa'bong wrote:

It was -26 this morning with what they say is a wind chill of -36.  I didn't really notice much of a wind, and it didn't seem too terribly cold.  Cars had nicely packed the snow on the roads so I had decent traction.  I left a half-hour early to avoid the pre-8:00 rush on the roads, so the traffic was fairly light too.  All in all, a pleasant bike ride.

 

Yeah, it's good to see the sun. Riding a bike in winter in Saskatoon takes some fortitude!

Catchfire Catchfire's picture

I used to have a faint comprehension of what numbers like -26 and -36 meant in the real world. I remember it mostly as scowling. But it's hard to understand that anymore (although I was once in the Takini Hot Springs outside Whitehorse when it was -38. It was a bit too cold for hot springs).

Anyway, there's a thin layer of white stuff outside this morning. What's up with that? I fear the city will be driven into a panic. I sure as hell don't know what to make of it.

al-Qa'bong

Years ago I was amused to listen to a conversation between my co-workers in Nanaimo as they discussed the proper way to handle a car skidding on ice.  To them it was a purely hypothetical circumstance.

remind remind's picture

 Nanaimo in the snow...would imagine their hypotheticals were not close to correct.

...hated being out driving in the snow there, not because of the snow, but because no one  knew how to drive in it, and it was just a series of driving other people's vehicles up hill, or down hill, to get them out of my way, and walking back to my own. And being at the university when it snowed was ugly, given its perch on the side of a mountain and only 2 ways down. One of them being almost a 90 degree incline.

 

bagkitty bagkitty's picture

Catchfire wrote:

Sorry, bagkitty, I should have been more specific. Kanuk parkas are the most extraordinarily ugly parkas you can buy for 600$.

A friend of mine who has one of their full length winter coats said something memorable about this, "I don't care if I look like the fucking Michelin man, they're fucking warm, they're worth the fucking money!" (and he was most vehement about this... although I must admit, he was provoked, I had been needling him about the old immigration standards regarding "climate suitability").

 

 

RosaL

I have a huge, ugly parka I got at Value Village. I was fortunate to find it and I am absolutely delighted with it although I have a fair idea of what I must look like in the thing. But who cares? It's nice and warm and has a "storm hood". 

Catchfire Catchfire's picture

Wow, we got 4-5 cm of snow last night. I haven't seen this much snow in years. It's thick and wet and hanging on every branch, bramble and blade of grass.

Boom Boom Boom Boom's picture

I brought a parka with detachable storm hood from Sears for about $75.00 five years ago. Hardly any visible wear on it, and fits perfect, and has lots of insulation. However, it's a military fatigue-like green, not exactly the most attractive colour, but who cares. It keeps me warm in the coldest temperatures if I'm also wearing a sweater.

 

Temps right now are -10C, -16 windchill. No snow yet. Lots of wind in the forecast, along with snow next Friday.

Wilf Day

E.Tamaran wrote:

Wilf Day wrote:

Still mild in Port Hope.   

All that radium in your soil will help keep things warm.

The hot air from Helen Caldicott, you mean. 

Timebandit Timebandit's picture

-24 out there tonight, -31 with the wind chill.  We had more snow, but I'll shovel it tomorrow.  I pulled out the goose-down duvet they other day.  That makes it official - winter is here!  The blond guy is lighting a fire in the fireplace, so I think I will go warm up in front of it.  :-)

Snert Snert's picture

This morning my little thermometer said it was 10C outside.  Is Toronto the town that winter forgot??

jrootham

Wait for it.

 

polly bee

We are looking at -35 tonight and tomorrow morning.  The dogs are laying by the woodstove trying to be invisible.  The kids are hoping the buses don't run.  Ya, winter.  Bleck.

I was at the Stamps/Riders game on Sunday.  By the last quarter it was just like never mind the promos and the cheerleaders....run the clock!

Sineed

We're having a Toronto winter - cold yesterday, and some snow, but today it was 15 C.  So as per usual when Toronto winter temps fluctuate upwards, the subway, malls and my workplace were all sweltering today.  It was 28 C in my office.

 

Catchfire Catchfire's picture

Vancouver's getting a "cold snap" tonight where we'll see minus double digits. CBC is advising us to disconnect our hoses. I wonder if they will also suggest wearing a coat and turning on our furnaces.

Heartwarming story this morning about police officers giving homeless people blankets because "it's the right thing to do" and "Vancouver has a big heart." I don't think the VPD was being ironic.

Jingles

Quote:
police officers giving homeless people blankets because "it's the right thing to do"

Better check for smallpox.

bagkitty bagkitty's picture

I saw the cutest little segment on the weather network last night. They were talking about a cold spell in Vancouver in 1985 where the overnight low was below the freezing point for 13 consecutive nights. Imagine that. Meanwhile, in Calgary, the wind has died down and they have removed windchill references, so today's -30 temperature feels like (wait for it) -30. It is supposed to warm up this afternoon (up to -20) so I am going to hold off going out and running an errand that will involve a 3km walk until then.

Ghislaine

Winter hit here on PEI on Saturday evening, however we only got about 5 cm of snow. Everything looks beautiful and I am loving it. I hope it stays below freezing until say mid-March, however it is supposed to rain later in the week. 

Friends gave us a little baby sleigh, so we got to pull our 7 month old around outside on a sunny snowy day! Very fun, and I am so excited about experiencing winter anew through her eyes. The first huge snowfall will be very fun!

lagatta

I hate winter, but none so far here. A bit chilly today - just about 0, perhaps 1 or 2, but no snow so far. Yesterday was very warm, about 12 degrees.

Hope we dodge it again like last year though I suppose it is too much to hope for. Although I mostly work at home, I hate being shut in - feel like I am in a rather comfortable jail.

As for Kanuks, they are hideous. I could see not caring what you look like in a rural or remote area, but it does seem odd in a city. There are other ways to stay warm. If you can afford a Kanuk, you can afford silk long underwear.

Timebandit Timebandit's picture

More snow last night and another 5-10 cm forecast for today, and still very cold.  We've already got an unusual amount of snow - if this keeps up it will be a record year.

Boom Boom Boom Boom's picture

Actually warming up a bit today, with rain in the forecast for later in the afternoon. However, there's a bit of snow moving in on the weekend, but not enough to pay attention to.

Like Lagatta, I hope we are able to dodge winter again thiis year.

Just in case, I've already split enough firewood for the entire winter already, and have my generator and snowblower ready.

Catchfire Catchfire's picture

There is some real snow on the ground here in Vancouver and the city is freaking out. Schools closing, commuters griping (and thinking their Prius will work exactly the same way it normally does with eight inches of snow on the road), and busses failing, heroically, to make it up hills. It's supposed to turn to rain by this evening, but right now, it's pretty beautiful outside. Of course, I think the snow is crushing my brussel sprouts and broccoli for next spring.

bagkitty bagkitty's picture

Just looking for a clarification Catchfire... do you (mistakenly) consider the crushing of brussel sprouts and broccoli to somehow be a "bad" thing?Wink

Catchfire Catchfire's picture

The worst. A tragedy from which I may never recover. Have you ever had freshly plucked purple sprouting broccoli or brussel sprouts cut from the vine? If not, I pity you, bagkitty. For more than the usual reasons.

lagatta

They certainly winter over in the Netherlands, where they do get that kind of melting snow. They should be fine.

It is true that many people don't know how wonderful freshly-picked brussels sprouts can be. They associate that poor veg with the watery overcooked star of school dinners.

RosaL

There was a coyote in town today. I saw it on the main street. 

jas

Catchfire wrote:

Vancouver's getting a "cold snap" tonight where we'll see minus double digits. CBC is advising us to disconnect our hoses. I wonder if they will also suggest wearing a coat and turning on our furnaces.

Laughing

But that is very cold for Vancouver...

Meanwhile, Record-setting cold continues in L.A. area

 

Nutrimom

When my savage rambler shrubs catch sight of winter a'comin

from the north over the giant Scarborough hill of post-glacial clay;

when they are alarmed by the droop of the frostbitten marigolds across the path

and shocked by the sudden exposure of leaf-lorn fence,

then they shriek into furious last-ditch forty-rose bloom 

as a warning, as defiance.

Refuge Refuge's picture

Snow storm where I am, lots of snow.  Glad I am no longer in T.O., I miss the way that winter affects my home and changes my lifestyle more than just running from my house to the TTC because it is cold and at worst waiting for a day while they clear the roads.  

I am getting back into the rhythm of winter season after 10 years of city living.

Boom Boom Boom Boom's picture

 

          

 

from: 2010-2011 Canada Winter Forecast

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