What is your weather today? (II) [Archive] - Page 38

Calgarian

Jan 9, 2012, 8:11 PM

I noticed that today, I thought I was hallucinating at first. I don't think I've EVER seen green grass between October and March in Calgary. If it rains, Calgary will start to resemble April lol. Supposed to get down near -20 overnight wednesday, so I doubt it will stay green for long.

Winter tires out here have always made me laugh a bit. The roads are bare and dry for the majority of the winter - and with Chinooks, I do wonder if it gets "too warm" at times.

The last couple winters, snow tires were a great investment, no issues driving around at all, it's actually fun weaving through stuck people while I have great traction. The biggest reason I have them though, is that my summer tires are high performance all season, which means they are basically useless with more than a light dusting of snow. I actually slid down my parkade ramp in my last building when we had that cold snap around thanksgiving a couple years ago, even with traction control on, I just couldn't get traction.

Coldrsx

Jan 9, 2012, 8:50 PM

There is very green grass at a condo with south and west exposure in Downtown Edmonton.

Andrewjm3D

Jan 9, 2012, 10:57 PM

Best winter ever for most of us I would say. As long as they can keep the rinks open I'll be happy.

Metro-One

Jan 10, 2012, 12:51 AM

Was another warm day in the Thomspn valley in BC. Was 10 in Kamloops and 13 in Ashcroft!

Nicko999

Jan 10, 2012, 5:26 AM

-1C with a wind chill of -4C with nice sunny breaks in the afternoon.:tup:
It's currently 3C... about time.:)

Jeez, what a winter!!!
129 weather stations were once again above 10C.:sly:

The Canadian warmspots were Brooks, Enchant and Rosemary, Alberta at 14.0C

Coldrsx

Jan 10, 2012, 5:40 AM

Best winter ever for most of us I would say. As long as they can keep the rinks open I'll be happy.

Concur, but I want some winter and an early spring, not the reverse.

PrairieGirl

Jan 10, 2012, 7:33 AM

High today +8C

I wonder if we will have another crappy spring/ summer (ie mainly in the high teens/low 20's again)...or will we steam to death in a jungle sauna or both????? That ( re Japanese Sauna) wouldn't include Calgary but it sure could include Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.

freeweed

Jan 10, 2012, 4:17 PM

Winter's back in Calgary. Near-blizzard conditions this morning, at least up in the higher elevations. And some forecasts show a high of -20 on Monday. :yuck:

I liked this pic from the Herald (http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/calgary/Winter+returns+Calgary+after+unseasonably+warm+weather/5970196/story.html):

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/calgary/5972904.bin

north 42

Jan 10, 2012, 4:52 PM

Suppossed to be around plus 7 today, with lots of sun. The golfers are loving this long stretch of spring like weather we've been having.

Coldrsx

Jan 10, 2012, 5:09 PM

A light dusting of snow just now -2 heading to -19 for a low

kw5150

Jan 10, 2012, 5:39 PM

Finally, we are having some winter! Bring on the good snow for the ski hills!

The local Calgary large ski resorts:

Sunshine
Nakiska
Norquay
Lake Louise
Castle
Fernie
Kimberley
Panorama
Kicking Horse

.....Revelstoke (I guess it is kind of local...)

Coldrsx

Jan 10, 2012, 5:43 PM

^local... ok then.

Jasper
Sunshine
Nakiska
Norquay
Lake Louise

kw5150

Jan 10, 2012, 6:23 PM

^local... ok then.

Jasper
Sunshine
Nakiska
Norquay
Lake Louise

What? They are all within 2.5 or 3 hours, that is local to me. I usually stay overnight so it makes the trip easy. That is why I moved to Calgary and not Edmonton. I love Edmonton, but the choices for ski hills aren't as good.

The lakes and warm evenings in Edmonton are awesome though!! Not to mention jasper, that is one beautiful park (and town)

freeweed

Jan 10, 2012, 6:24 PM

Finally, we are having some winter! Bring on the good snow for the ski hills!

The ski hills have plenty of good snow. As much or more than in recent years at this time, which were horribly cold and snowy for Calgary itself.

Strong Chinook conditions usually result in great snow dumps in the mountains. Warm and dry in the city, snowy on the slopes - ideal situation! :tup:

kw5150

Jan 10, 2012, 6:29 PM

The ski hills have plenty of good snow. As much or more than in recent years at this time, which were horribly cold and snowy for Calgary itself.

Strong Chinook conditions usually result in great snow dumps in the mountains. Warm and dry in the city, snowy on the slopes - ideal situation! :tup:

Ya, and bring on MORE snow! We live in Canada, I like snow.

rrskylar

Jan 10, 2012, 7:06 PM

Currently +5 in Winnipeg, although it looks like winter will return tomorrow.

PrairieGirl

Jan 10, 2012, 9:31 PM

+2 and in the process of taking a nose dive.

BTW you should pick out better reading material Freeweed since the author's study re human memory and weather is full of it.

freeweed

Jan 10, 2012, 10:26 PM

BTW you should pick out better reading material Freeweed since the author's study re human memory and weather is full of it.

:haha: Human memory in general is well-known to be faulty and influenced by all sorts of things years after an event. This isn't a particular author, this is decades of psychological research. Go read up on how reliable eye-witness testimony is and prepare to be scared of your own mind.

Alternatively, let's see some actual weather stats that show the prairies is experiencing a decades-long snow drought, with massively elevated temperatures. :shrug:

PrairieGirl

Jan 11, 2012, 12:29 AM

Again you quote my words incorrectly Freeweed...I said my city got a heck of a lot more snow (and the temps were a lot colder and of longer duration) in my childhood :
You really should quote people accurately and find more reliable reference material to spout off from (or grow up and realize that not everything written up in a study is gospel).
Moose Jaw Snowfall by year in cm/Average Mean temp C
1959 MJ 126.9 cm Mean Jan temp -17.1
1960 MJ 82.5 cm Mean Jan temp -15.0
1961 MJ 119 cm Mean Jan temp -13.8
1962 MJ 98.1 cm Mean Jan temp -12.9
1963 MJ 88.2 cm Mean Jan temp -17.6
1964 MJ 158.4 cm Mean Jan temp -9.5
1965 MJ 189.1 cm Mean Jan temp -17.7
1966 MJ 161.9 cm Mean Jan temp -22.9
1967 MJ 156.7 cm Mean Jan temp -14.2
1968 MJ 57.8 cm Mean Jan temp -14.7
1969 MJ 134. 3cm Mean Jan temp -24.3
1970 MJ 259.1 cm Mean Jan temp -17.5
1971 MJ 117.2 cm Mean Jan temp -19.2
1972 MJ 161.6 cm Mean Jan temp -19.1
1973 MJ 137. 2cm Mean Jan temp -7.7
1974 MJ 160.1 cm Mean Jan temp -18.1
1975 MJ 132.3 cm Mean Jan temp -12.2
1976 MJ 112 cm Mean Jan temp -11.9
1977 MJ 87.9 cm Mean Jan temp -18.1
1978 MJ 90.4 cm Mean Jan temp -20.6
1979 MJ 143.1 cm Mean Jan temp -19.5
1980 MJ 115.6 cm Mean Jan temp -14.7
1981 MJ 70.0 cm Mean Jan temp -7.9
1982 MJ 138.2 cm Mean Jan temp -23.4
1983 MJ 114.3 cm Mean Jan temp -8.9
1984 MJ 97.2 cm Mean Jan temp -9.3
1985 MJ 89.2 cm Mean Jan temp -14.1
1986 MJ 85.0 Mean Jan temp -5.3
1987 MJ 87.9 Mean Jan temp -6.0
1988 MJ 101.6 Mean Jan temp -13.4
1989 MJ 89.7 Mean Jan temp -11.4
1990 MJ 95.5 Mean Jan temp -6.9
1991 MJ 112.6 Mean Jan temp -14.4
1992 MJ 94.6 Mean Jan temp -6.3
1993 MJ 108.4 Mean Jan temp -14.2
1994 MJ 112.5 Mean Jan temp -18.1
1995 MJ 139.0 Mean Jan temp -12.6
1996 MJ 189.2 Mean Jan temp -19.6
1997 MJ 90.6 Mean Jan temp -17.2
1998 MJ Measurements no longer recorded.
Source:

http://climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/climateData/monthlydata_e.html?timeframe=3&Prov=SASK&StationID=2967&hlyRange=1954-01-01|2012-01-06&Year=1990&Month=1&Day=6
1999 72.4 Mean Jan temp -15.0
2000 86.5 Mean Jan temp -14.7
2001 32.0 Mean Jan temp -6.4
2002 75.9 Mean Jan temp -11.2
2003 73.3 Mean Jan temp -12.6
2004 90.9 Mean Jan temp -15.6
2005 19.2 Mean Jan temp -15.9
2006 36 Mean Jan temp -3.8
2007 49.1 Mean Jan temp -9.7
Data has not yet been taken beyond 2007
Source:
http://climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/climateData/monthlydata_e.html?timeframe=3&Prov=SASK&StationID=27476&mlyRange=1998-06-01|2007-11-01&Year=2007&Month=01&Day=01

So do you note a difference in the first 25 years vs. the second 25 years?????
My memory of winters long ago is very accurate. :banana: :cheers: So much for those studies you do like to quote from. ;)

Nicko999

Jan 11, 2012, 5:45 AM

This is one of the strangest winter I've seen, it's like the borders (Ontario and US) act like walls. Once you go south of Ottawa, the snow disappears and the temperature increases dramatically. Same thing when you cross the Vermont border.

About 1C and a mix of sun and clouds today! Gorgeous this afternoon.:)

The Canadian warmspot was White Rock, BC at 9.1C.

craneSpotter

Jan 11, 2012, 5:59 AM

Ah, all is mostly back to normal ;) 9pm PST.

http://i43.tinypic.com/2l8vndz.jpg

kw5150

Jan 11, 2012, 9:28 PM

Things are looking up for the snow forecast in Calgary. Finally some nice cool temperatures to renew the province.....going snowboarding not this weekend but next. I only go if there is 180cm base or more.....:cheers:

PrairieGirl

Jan 12, 2012, 12:11 AM

Have now recorded Average January Mean temp for Moose Jaw, Sk from 1959 to 2007
Moose Jaw Snowfall by year in cm/JAN Mean temp C
1959 MJ 126.9 cm Mean Jan temp -17.1
1960 MJ 82.5 cm Mean Jan temp -15.0
1961 MJ 119 cm Mean Jan temp -13.8
1962 MJ 98.1 cm Mean Jan temp -12.9
1963 MJ 88.2 cm Mean Jan temp -17.6
1964 MJ 158.4 cm Mean Jan temp -9.5
1965 MJ 189.1 cm Mean Jan temp -17.7
1966 MJ 161.9 cm Mean Jan temp -22.9
1967 MJ 156.7 cm Mean Jan temp -14.2
1968 MJ 57.8 cm Mean Jan temp -14.7
1969 MJ 134. 3cm Mean Jan temp -24.3
1970 MJ 259.1 cm Mean Jan temp -17.5
1971 MJ 117.2 cm Mean Jan temp -19.2
1972 MJ 161.6 cm Mean Jan temp -19.1
1973 MJ 137. 2cm Mean Jan temp -7.7
1974 MJ 160.1 cm Mean Jan temp -18.1
1975 MJ 132.3 cm Mean Jan temp -12.2
1976 MJ 112 cm Mean Jan temp -11.9
1977 MJ 87.9 cm Mean Jan temp -18.1
1978 MJ 90.4 cm Mean Jan temp -20.6
1979 MJ 143.1 cm Mean Jan temp -19.5
1980 MJ 115.6 cm Mean Jan temp -14.7
1981 MJ 70.0 cm Mean Jan temp -7.9
1982 MJ 138.2 cm Mean Jan temp -23.4
1983 MJ 114.3 cm Mean Jan temp -8.9
1984 MJ 97.2 cm Mean Jan temp -9.3
1985 MJ 89.2 cm Mean Jan temp -14.1
1986 MJ 85.0 Mean Jan temp -5.3
1987 MJ 87.9 Mean Jan temp -6.0
1988 MJ 101.6 Mean Jan temp -13.4
1989 MJ 89.7 Mean Jan temp -11.4
1990 MJ 95.5 Mean Jan temp -6.9
1991 MJ 112.6 Mean Jan temp -14.4
1992 MJ 94.6 Mean Jan temp -6.3
1993 MJ 108.4 Mean Jan temp -14.2
1994 MJ 112.5 Mean Jan temp -18.1
1995 MJ 139.0 Mean Jan temp -12.6
1996 MJ 189.2 Mean Jan temp -19.6
1997 MJ 90.6 Mean Jan temp -17.2
1998 MJ Measurements no longer recorded.
Source: http://climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/climateData/monthlydata_e.html?timeframe=3&Prov=SASK&StationID=2967&hlyRange=1954-01-01|2012-01-06&Year=1990&Month=1&Day=6
1999 72.4 Mean Jan temp -15.0
2000 86.5 Mean Jan temp -14.7
2001 32.0 Mean Jan temp -6.4
2002 75.9 Mean Jan temp -11.2
2003 73.3 Mean Jan temp -12.6
2004 90.9 Mean Jan temp -15.6
2005 19.2 Mean Jan temp -15.9
2006 36 Mean Jan temp -3.8
2007 49.1 Mean Jan temp -9.7
Data has not yet been taken beyond 2007
Source: http://climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/climateData/monthlydata_e.html?timeframe=3&Prov=SASK&StationID=27476&mlyRange=1998-06-01|2007-11-01&Year=2007&Month=01&Day=01

Seems to me it also shows a measurable difference (first 25 years vs the next 25) Freeweed.
Something to keep in mind...my generation had to walk everywhere (no parent taxi service for us).
Reality bites and if this long term forecast holds true http://www.theweathernetwork.com/fourteenday/cask0210?ref=qlink_lt_14day this will certainly be another Jan that will up the latter 25 year Jan Mean Avg.

Off now to where the real experts on weather reside (and they *are* adults). :D

Nicko999

Jan 12, 2012, 7:34 AM

-11C with a wind chill of -19C with mainly cloudy conditions today... COLD!!!:(

The Canadian warmspot was Welland-Pelham, Ontario at 8.9C

freeweed

Jan 12, 2012, 3:49 PM

Seems to me it also shows a measurable difference (first 25 years vs the next 25) Freeweed.

Interesting, thanks for digging this up. I think you mentioned 50+ years on this planet, so while I'm not exactly sure how old you are I'd say it's a safe guess that the 1960s was your "childhood"?. When I do some decade-long averages from these numbers, here's what I get:

60s snow: 124.57
70s snow: 140.07
80s snow: 98.87
90s snow: 112.7555556
00s snow: 57.8625 (missing several years)

60s temp: -16.26
70s temp: -16.39
80s temp: -11.44
90s temp: -13.81
00s temp: -10.74

What I see from that is the 1990s, which were not that long ago (certainly within the past 25 years), saw about 10% less snow than in your childhood, and about 2.5 degrees warmer. Maybe that's a big change to you, I don't know. The past decade (well, 2000-2007) is really the only aberrant time here. Some decades were colder and snowier, some not so much.

What really stands out with these figures to me is just how ABnormal a given Moose Jaw winter is - reminds me of Calgary in this sense. 1964 - average Jan temp of -9.5, followed 2 years later by -22.9! 1968, 57.8cm of snow (again, is this year part of your childhood memories of "lots of snow", or is that year simply not remembered?), 2 years later, 259.1 - that's over a 300% increase! There's never been much consistency, even through the 1960s. One short run (1964-67) of consistently high snowfall but beyond that it's a bit of a see-saw. The next decade follows the same pattern - get a few years in a row of lots of snow, then suddenly it drops off. And then we hit 1996, with nearly 190cm. 50% more snow than the 1960s average. Where does that fit into all of this?

Isn't cherry-picking statistics fun? Yup, the past decade has been warmer than average (with a lot less snow) in one location on the planet. I'm not sure how this generates a conviction that the climate is changing or that this particular winter is anything but an anomaly, but each of us has our own standard of evidence. :shrug:

Something to keep in mind...my generation had to walk everywhere (no parent taxi service for us).

Something to keep in mind... you have absolutely no idea how old anyone else is on this forum, nor their economic situation, nor their upbringing ;)

PrairieGirl

Jan 12, 2012, 6:58 PM

whatever.

someone123

Jan 12, 2012, 7:34 PM

The Canadian climate normals data from EC has values for standard deviation. In Calgary the standard deviation is listed as 5 degrees (I believe this means stdev of the Jan mean values rather than days in Jan).

If the January mean temperatures were normally distributed then you'd expect about 1/3 of years to have January mean temperatures more than 5 degrees above or below the norm.

Victoria by contrast only has a standard deviation of 1.6.

freeweed

Jan 12, 2012, 7:56 PM

If the January mean temperatures were normally distributed then you'd expect about 1/3 of years to have January mean temperatures more than 5 degrees above or below the norm.

Makes sense. A standard deviation on a per-day basis would be insane for Calgary. Probably like 20 or more.

Nicko999

Jan 13, 2012, 8:36 AM

Mini snow storm today... -5C with a wind chill of -12C and snowy.

The Canadian warmspot was Cumshewa Island, BC at 8.8C

Nick.

Jan 13, 2012, 3:33 PM

is this seriously a 170 page thread about the weather

freeweed

Jan 13, 2012, 3:47 PM

The deep freeze is coming to southern Alberta (and I suspect much of the prairies). -20 highs in Calgary all next week, weeeeee!

freeweed

Jan 13, 2012, 3:48 PM

is this seriously a 170 page thread about the weather

is this seriously a 14 comment user questioning the content of this website

Nick.

Jan 13, 2012, 4:29 PM

nice genetic fallacy

feepa

Jan 13, 2012, 7:46 PM

^ sconadian?

feepa

Jan 13, 2012, 7:48 PM

Well, all good things must come to a end. Like Fall....

http://img862.imageshack.us/img862/5574/1132012124637pm.jpg
I for one, welcome the cold weather. Better to get it out of the way now, cause Mother nature would probably come calling in May if not.

Metro-One

Jan 13, 2012, 7:49 PM

Seeing how weather greatly effects our daily lives and is constantly changing, people tend to talk about it ;)

Anyway, looks like metro-Vancouver may be getting its first real winter storm this year, 5 to 10cm forecasted for higher elevations tonight / tomorrow. Ugh, the next 5 days look to be a real mix that could go either way, with temps hovering between the -1 and 5 degree mark.

kw5150

Jan 13, 2012, 8:47 PM

Deepstar

Jan 13, 2012, 9:28 PM

Ah, all is mostly back to normal ;) 9pm PST.

:) Not quite yet.
http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/6369/scr1326489804.jpg

MTLskyline

Jan 14, 2012, 2:26 AM

For those of you who forgot what January looks like, here's downtown Montreal as of Thursday evening.

http://360.io/apC3yY

We have even more now!

Nicko999

Jan 14, 2012, 7:32 AM

LOL, I said mini-snowstorm yesterday... forget it. Freaking big snowstorm today.
-4C with a wind chill of -8C and non stop snow all day long.

The Canadian warmspot was Cheticamp, Nova Scotia at 13.7C.

Metro-One

Jan 14, 2012, 7:36 AM

wow, the ski hills should be good.

That is the big plus side ;) The hills have been starved for the last 5 weeks.

SpongeG

Jan 14, 2012, 9:20 AM

heavy snow in coquitlam (not my video - but someone i know just up the street)

rFaAvnByv5E

Metro-One

Jan 14, 2012, 9:26 AM

Yep, we have the cement snow falling here in south Van as well, ugh, was hoping we would not have to go through this this year...

SpongeG

Jan 14, 2012, 9:44 AM

my google forecast

gonna be a cold few days - this snow is staying around

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/2029/weatherc.jpg

Metro-One

Jan 14, 2012, 9:46 AM

:previous:Yeah, they kept making the forecast worse and worse as today approached, originally they said it was only a chance of wet flurries saturday and then back to normal temps after that (this was last sunday). I hate it when that happens. Stupid cold air from crappy Alaska. hehe, i like being childish.

Although that google forecast is complete crap, never bother posting those.

The coldest day according to Environment Canada is going to be Monday, with a low of -2 and a high of 2.

freeweed

Jan 14, 2012, 5:17 PM

Oh wow, that BC moisture is pounding the ski hills out here. And I'm stuck home on call. :hell:

Metro-One

Jan 14, 2012, 10:45 PM

So happy i have moved to south Van. Only snowed about a cm or 2 last night, which was all melted this morning in 5 degree sunshine. Compare that to the burbs east and against the mountains, especially the higher areas in Coquitlam (which always get ti the worst)
But, looks like a cool nasty week ahead.

What happened to our countries amazing winter?

Look at it now i see a week of slush in Van / Vic (snow, rain ugh), a week of -20s in the Prairies, -18 tonight in Toronto and -24 tonight in Montreal (with a windchill warning of -32).

CanadianCentaur

Jan 14, 2012, 10:58 PM

-4°C and snowing.

There's been no freezing rain this time, thank God.

Airboy

Jan 15, 2012, 12:31 AM

Seeing people smiling, I'm finding they are happy now that the real winter has begun.

Talking with a colleague this week, he was complaining that it was not right having no snow or cold. He was born and raised in Iraq.

This will be the first time this winter I will need my winter coat in the Edmonton area.

Nicko999

Jan 15, 2012, 8:15 AM

We had a quiet winter and then suddenly...

16cm of snow on the 12th
7.8cm of snow on the 13th

Total: 23.8cm in 2 days
Shoveling a small part of the driveway resulted in this huge pile.
http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/3808/sam1591b.jpg

Extremely cold today, -17C with a wind chill of -26C. I couldn't care less about the sun in a day like that.

The Canadian warmspot was Argentia, Newfoundland at 11.6C.

SpongeG

Jan 15, 2012, 10:25 AM

snowing heavy at 2 am, the forecast has been changed and now it shows cold temps and snow everyday through to thursday

Dylan Leblanc

Jan 15, 2012, 10:43 AM

Just started snowing here in Victoria.

Jimby

Jan 15, 2012, 1:49 PM

snowing in Calgary, winter has arrived!

freeweed

Jan 15, 2012, 4:11 PM

Welp, all the people who find 0 too warm are going to be happy. After tonight, Calgary won't be going above -20 for at least 5 days. We should hit -30 a couple of times, too.

Innsertnamehere

Jan 15, 2012, 5:56 PM

have fun! it finally reached -15 here last night. winter is taking hold, even if it is a month late.

Metro-One

Jan 15, 2012, 6:16 PM

Adding to the interesting weather, a funnel cloud was spotted over YVR last evening:

http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/5997950.bin?size=620x400s

Photo by KittyKat_4

http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Funnel+cloud+spotted+near+Vancouver/5997947/story.html

Calgarian

Jan 15, 2012, 8:07 PM

We were spoiled with nearly 2 months of spring like weather in Calgary but now we're back to the cold reality of January on the Canadian Prairies. Cold as hell for at leas the next week. Walking to work is going to suck again, might have to cab it this week.

freeweed

Jan 15, 2012, 8:45 PM

Extremely cold today, -17C with a wind chill of -26C. I couldn't care less about the sun in a day like that.

No kidding. In fact with those temps you pretty much WANT clouds, they help keep what little heat there is in at night. Brrrrr.

Airboy

Jan 16, 2012, 1:11 AM

Finally winter, enjoyed the -20 today. snow was clean and bright. yes it is going down to -30 this week but hey its Canada, suck it up. And when it does get to cold outside it makes sitting in a sunny spot of your house and reading that much more enjoyable.

freeweed

Jan 16, 2012, 3:08 AM

The entire country is basically snowbound, outside of tiny scraps of land:

http://www.natice.noaa.gov/pub/ims/ims_gif/DATA/cursnow_usa.gif

Nicko999

Jan 16, 2012, 7:05 AM

Brrrrrr... cold again! -15C with a wind chill of -24C with clear sky.:(

The Canadian warmspot was Cape St. James, BC at only 5.2C. Pretty damn cold everywhere in Canada.

MrChills

Jan 16, 2012, 7:13 AM

FUCK!! Around -30c for most of Alberta for the next week. :yuck:

Calgarian

Jan 16, 2012, 3:27 PM

It's just brutal out there! windchill of -35 this morning.

harls

Jan 16, 2012, 4:30 PM

It was a nipply -23 this morning according to my outdoor thermometer. At least there was no wind this morning.

Coldrsx

Jan 16, 2012, 5:11 PM

Cold, but expected for January.

kw5150

Jan 16, 2012, 5:15 PM

LET IT SNOW!! (Calgary)

Airboy

Jan 16, 2012, 6:15 PM

Cold, but expected for January.

Car was a little stiff this morning, but the 10 min walk I have was quite nice if you are dressed properly.

someone123

Jan 16, 2012, 7:53 PM

Way too cold for Vancouver lately. We've got snow on the ground and another 5-10 cm are coming tonight. :irked:

Airboy

Jan 16, 2012, 10:29 PM

Way too cold for Vancouver lately. We've got snow on the ground and another 5-10 cm are coming tonight. :irked:

You have more snow than Edmonton. Was out on Sunday and still can't go Xcountry skiing.

someone123

Jan 16, 2012, 11:16 PM

One forecast I saw was predicting -8 for a high in Vancouver on Wednesday. I wonder if that will actually happen...

SteelTown

Jan 16, 2012, 11:24 PM

It's 4c right now and should go up to 7c tomorrow.

p78hub

Jan 17, 2012, 5:02 AM

temperature at YVR (according to environment canada) jumped from -1 to +2 degrees in one hour. still no snowfall.. must have passed to the south into Bellingham

Metro-One

Jan 17, 2012, 5:06 AM

You have more snow than Edmonton. Was out on Sunday and still can't go Xcountry skiing.

Not yet, at my place in south Van there are only skiffs in the shade, green everywhere else, of course up at SFU on Burnaby Mountain they have about 10 to 15cm on the ground.

Tomorrow morning could be a different story though, hehe.

Andrewjm3D

Jan 17, 2012, 5:28 AM

+8 for Toronto on Tuesday with rain. Only 64 days until spring!

Metro-One

Jan 17, 2012, 5:42 AM

:previous:No surprise there, the classic deep cold front hitting the west = unseasonably warm in the east, as they were predicting for this winter.

The weather in the west has been getting consistently colder every time they revise the forecast, even Vancouver may not go above 0 for 2 days, while Edmonton and Calgary may not go above -20 until Saturday or Sunday.

Andrewjm3D

Jan 17, 2012, 5:49 AM

Well Canada's mid section has had it pretty easy up until now. I guess my plans to hit the outdoor rink in the morning are out the window now.

Nicko999

Jan 17, 2012, 7:53 AM

:previous:No surprise there, the classic deep cold front hitting the west = unseasonably warm in the east, as they were predicting for this winter.

Wish it was true... we're fucked up again. Just watch as the temperature increases dramatically as we approach the border. If we were just 100 km further south, it would still be green.:rolleyes:
It was -24.1C yesterday morning.:yuck:

A little bit better today but still too cold to enjoy being outdoors.
-7C with a wind chill of -11C and a mix of sun and clouds.

The Canadian warmspot was Port Weller, Ontario at 6.3C. Only 68 stations were above the freezing mark. Pretty cold day in Canada.

Metro-One

Jan 17, 2012, 8:06 AM

:previous:Yeah, Montreal has been getting a bad deal, it keeps just missing these warm trends to the west, south and east of it...

Calgarian

Jan 17, 2012, 2:42 PM

You can tell it's cold when the snow makes that squeaky styrofoam sound as you walk over it.

Metro-One

Jan 17, 2012, 3:28 PM

I thought snow always makes that crunchy noise? Unless it is completely slush.

Anyways, looks like this snowstorm missed us, currently 2 at my house and no snow. I suspect further east in the valley it is a different story though.

freeweed

Jan 17, 2012, 3:28 PM

This week is likely to be the coldest Calgary has experienced in years. I was doing some casual digging around EC's data, and I cannot find:

1. A daily high of -28 or colder (today's expected high)

2. A low below -31 (we're could hit -35 for a night or 3, although I think that's unlikely)

Even with the frigid winters of the past 2 years, we've never sunk so low, so fast, and stayed so long. I don't know that this will be breaking any records but it's definitely the coldest Calgary has been in my 8 years here. So much for our climate permanently changing. :haha:

It's reminding me of that glorious stretch in Winnipeg in 1996. 19 days where the temps never got above -20 during the day, and hit -30 every single night. On the bright side, I'm hoping this puts a dent in the pine beetle population.

Metro-One

Jan 17, 2012, 3:32 PM

Calgarian

Jan 17, 2012, 4:17 PM

Coldrsx

Jan 17, 2012, 4:23 PM

'But it's a dry cold'

Echoes

Jan 17, 2012, 4:23 PM

-47 with the windchill in Saskatoon this morning. And the heater in my car isn't working well.

A week and a half ago it was +6!

Coldrsx

Jan 17, 2012, 4:48 PM

Days like these remind me who much I love living downtown with a heated parkade and a 3 block walk to work.

freeweed

Jan 17, 2012, 4:58 PM

I thought snow always makes that crunchy noise? Unless it is completely slush.

Heh. I formally invite you to experience your first -30! Snow always makes noise, but what's being described here is a very unique sound. You only get it once temps fall below -20 or so and the snow is fairly dry (which is generally is at these temps). It's not really crunchy, it does in fact sound a lot like styrofoam rubbing together. You can hear it while walking, but also while driving. It really helps to have cold, "square" tires to get the full effect.

It's one of the few positives about this cold. It's a very nostalgic sound to me, reminds me of childhood.

freeweed

Jan 17, 2012, 5:01 PM

:previous:Don't worry, it wont. What many don't know is it is actually the suppression of forest fires over the last 90 years that is the main ingredient that has created the Pine Beetle epidemic. I based an entire semester studying the Pine Beetle problem at SFU, i have posted on here before (over a year ago) with all the specifics about the misconception of the warmer winters being the primary cause of the problem, but i don't have the time to dive into right now, need to get going!

Huh. I knew fire suppression was a big part of it, but the local entomologists here always talk about needing a few days below -30 to really keep their numbers in check as well.

I know that in general you see certain insect species cut in numbers after a nasty cold winter, although of course a "perfect summer" (for them) just brings them back in greater numbers anyway.

kw5150

Jan 17, 2012, 5:29 PM

freeweed

Jan 17, 2012, 5:50 PM

Sounds travel through cold (-30 and below) is amazing as well. You literally hear people from a whole block away or more, even if they are talking softly.

Yup. As much as I'll bitch about the cold just like anyone else, I have to admit that I like getting a few days like this every year. It's a very different experience; so many little things change. Roads become slippery simply because they're so cold. Sound is completely different. Breathing itself becomes a challenge to many - and invigorating to others. With extreme cold, very little snow falls and winds generally decrease to almost nothing. It becomes so *still* outside as nature and people retreat from the cold.

I just wish I didn't have to work on these days. To go out into it, on my own terms, is rather a lot of fun.

north 42

Jan 17, 2012, 5:54 PM

Another warm day here, currently 10c at one in the afternoon. This January is really something!!!

Calgarian

Jan 17, 2012, 5:55 PM

It's neat when it drops to -30 for a few days, but when you have to walk 20 minutes to work in it and don't own long johns it starts to suck very fast!

drew

Jan 17, 2012, 6:01 PM

^ I hear ya.

I walk about 40 minutes one-way to work, and the weather this week has required me to get the down parka out of storage for the first time this winter.

However, I do own several pairs of long-johns, and decent winter "walking" boots. All must haves - yes even in Calgree.

Airboy

Jan 17, 2012, 6:05 PM

Heh. I formally invite you to experience your first -30! Snow always makes noise, but what's being described here is a very unique sound. You only get it once temps fall below -20 or so and the snow is fairly dry (which is generally is at these temps). It's not really crunchy, it does in fact sound a lot like styrofoam rubbing together. You can hear it while walking, but also while driving. It really helps to have cold, "square" tires to get the full effect.

It's one of the few positives about this cold. It's a very nostalgic sound to me, reminds me of childhood.

As this is my third time this year experiencing -30 or more, I find it quite a nice brisk walk, the 5 blocks from where I park my car to the office. And I do love the crunchy noise.

One Item of note though from my trips up north, You cannot hear a polar bear walking on the snow. So went you are walking with your hood up you kind of have to keep looking around.

Watson Lake was -40 yesterday.

I was on the phone today trouble shooting a project in Toyoyoak Nu, the temps we were seeing were slightly warmer than us.

Metro-One

Jan 17, 2012, 6:08 PM

Metro-One

Jan 17, 2012, 6:16 PM

Huh. I knew fire suppression was a big part of it, but the local entomologists here always talk about needing a few days below -30 to really keep their numbers in check as well.

I know that in general you see certain insect species cut in numbers after a nasty cold winter, although of course a "perfect summer" (for them) just brings them back in greater numbers anyway.

Well, just to give you a brief snipit from my paper. The pine beetle is native and lives in western pine forests from northern BC to northern Mexico. If the lack of cold winters was the primary cause then the epidemic would have started in the south and moved north, but it didn't, it started in the far north and moved south. This is because fire suppression is far more effective in the north, where the fire season is shorter and less intense. This has created a huge over crowding of pine trees in our forests (or forests are now far more dense then they would be naturally) this causes the average tree to be more weak and susceptible to diseases then they would have in a forest that is thinned and continually enriched with nutrients for the surviving trees via fires naturally. So now in the north we have an overcrowded forest or marginalized trees health wise = explosion of pine beetles.

freeweed

Jan 17, 2012, 6:27 PM

However, I do own several pairs of long-johns, and decent winter "walking" boots. All must haves - yes even in Calgree.

They're "must haves" in Calgary in the same sense that a snow brush/scraper is a "must have" in Vancouver - useful 2-3 days a year, but otherwise would never be touched. So we do without, for the most part. I haven't owned a pair of winter boots since moving here. My "long johns" are basically my thin ski underlayers. And I haven't owned anything resembling a "parka" in the same amount of time. Decent ski jacket combined with fleece layer = pretty much enough for here.

Hell, I know a lot of people in Calgary who don't even have block heaters in their cars, which floored me at first. They just don't drive them a couple days out of the year. :haha: I can't even remember the last time I plugged in my car, and it was more out of habit than necessity.

freeweed

Jan 17, 2012, 6:30 PM

Well, just to give you a brief snipit from my paper. The pine beetle is native and lives in western pine forests from northern BC to northern Mexico. If the lack of cold winters was the primary cause then the epidemic would have started in the south and moved north, but it didn't, it started in the far north and moved south. This is because fire suppression is far more effective in the north, where the fire season is shorter and less intense. This has created a huge over crowding of pine trees in our forests (or forests are now far more dense then they would be naturally) this causes the average tree to be more weak and susceptible to diseases then they would have in a forest that is thinned and continually enriched with nutrients for the surviving trees via fires naturally. So now in the north we have an overcrowded forest or marginalized trees health wise = explosion of pine beetles.

Interesting. I'll admit mostly ignorance here. The impression I get is not that milder winters are a cause, per se - but the belief is that they exacerbate the problem.

Either way, fire suppression has cocked up quite a lot of things in the forest ecosystem. And led to some pretty uncontrollable fires when they *do* inevitably happen (hello Kootenay, Yellowstone).

LeftCoaster

Jan 17, 2012, 6:32 PM

They're "must haves" in Calgary in the same sense that a snow brush/scraper is a "must have" in Vancouver - useful 2-3 days a year, but otherwise would never be touched. So we do without, for the most part. I haven't owned a pair of winter boots since moving here. My "long johns" are basically my thin ski underlayers. And I haven't owned anything resembling a "parka" in the same amount of time. Decent ski jacket combined with fleece layer = pretty much enough for here.

Hell, I know a lot of people in Calgary who don't even have block heaters in their cars, which floored me at first. They just don't drive them a couple days out of the year. :haha: I can't even remember the last time I plugged in my car, and it was more out of habit than necessity.

You guys are nuts. I break out my long johns and canada goose jacket at about -10.

Humans weren't made for canadian winters!