What Is The Weather Today II (No Mercury Jockeying)

[TownGuy]

Originally Posted by giallo

The sun rises in both cities at the same time today (8:06), and sets 48 minutes apart - 4:34 pm in Vancouver and 5:18 in Windsor.

By early March, the sun will set at 7:08 pm in Vancouver. Without a doubt, the sun's strength will be much stronger than a January sun in Windsor (we're talking UV index here, right?). I think you meant early February, which would make more sense.

Not it will not be. I was also using Victoria, it would be even more tilted if you're using Vancouver. Windsor is at the same latitude as northern California. It is a substantial difference. A January sun in Windsor is equivalent to that of early March for southern BC.

I am going to use chatgpt to explain this better than I can.

Assuming the same cloud cover.

Windsor (~42°N) in mid-January: the sun is fairly low, but still higher than in southern BC in January.

Southern BC (~49°N): the sun is lower in the sky in January, so its rays are less direct.
If you match solar elevation and insolation (the actual energy hitting the ground):
Windsor’s January sun is roughly equivalent to late February or very early March in southern BC.

By early March, southern BC’s sun has climbed enough in the sky that the angle of sunlight and strength is similar to Windsor in mid-January.
So assuming identical cloud cover, a January day in Windsor would feel about like an early March day in southern BC in terms of sunlight intensity.

[Nicko999]

At noon it is 16.0C in Sarnia, ON. Super windy so probably not as pleasant as yesterday and seeing higher cloud cover.

[giallo]

Originally Posted by TownGuy

Not it will not be. I was also using Victoria, it would be even more tilted if you're using Vancouver. Windsor is at the same latitude as northern California. It is a substantial difference. A January sun in Windsor is equivalent to that of early March for southern BC.

I am going to use chatgpt to explain this better than I can.

Assuming the same cloud cover.

Windsor (~42°N) in mid-January: the sun is fairly low, but still higher than in southern BC in January.

Southern BC (~49°N): the sun is lower in the sky in January, so its rays are less direct.
If you match solar elevation and insolation (the actual energy hitting the ground):
Windsor’s January sun is roughly equivalent to late February or very early March in southern BC.

By early March, southern BC’s sun has climbed enough in the sky that the angle of sunlight and strength is similar to Windsor in mid-January.
So assuming identical cloud cover, a January day in Windsor would feel about like an early March day in southern BC in terms of sunlight intensity.

But the sun will be much higher in the sky in Vancouver in March than it is in Windsor in January. The average UV Index for Windsor in January is between 0-1. The average UV Index in Vancouver in March is between 3-4.

So the sun's intensity is far greater in March in Vancouver in comparison to Windsor in January. And, I mean, of course it is. The sun sits way higher in the sky for way longer at that time of the year.

And when asking AI, I get this:

The sun (UV radiation) is generally much stronger in Vancouver in March than in Windsor, Ontario, in January

In March in Vancouver, the UV index is considered "moderate," meaning protection is necessary during midday hours, and unprotected skin can risk burning in less than 30 minutes. In January in Windsor, the UV index is "low," and minimal sun protection is required for normal activity, though sunglasses on bright days are a good idea.


I don't like to rely on AI for this sort of thing. As you can see, it's given us two completely different answers.

[someone123]

This website gives the maximum solar angle (in parentheses):
https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/canada/windsor

It is about 26 degrees in Windsor today, about the same as a week into February in Vancouver.

It's definitely a real, noticeable thing, although it isn't a huge difference around southern Canada. Vancouver also gets a lot of cloud so it's often dark even around/before sunset this time of year. It's noticeably quite dark in the winter.

[giallo]

Originally Posted by someone123

This website gives the maximum solar angle (in parentheses):
https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/canada/windsor

It is about 26 degrees in Windsor today, about the same as a week into February in Vancouver.

It's definitely a real, noticeable thing, although it isn't a huge difference around southern Canada. Vancouver also gets a lot of cloud so it's often dark even around/before sunset this time of year. It's noticeably quite dark in the winter.

Thanks. I figured Windsor in January would be comparable to early February in Vancouver.

[TownGuy]

Originally Posted by giallo

I don't like to rely on AI for this sort of thing. As you can see, it's given us two completely different answers.

Seems it has a tendency to be swayed to the original phrasing of the question being asked. I did end up getting it to throw in the late February part as it was originally saying early March, so I felt more comfortable posting it when it broke down and threw the late February part in. I'm honestly still confused, haha.


As for today.. it is quite mild, into the double digits. I see St. Catherine's has reached 16C. We've had rain, thunder, fog, sun and wind, all while snow is on the ground.

These are at Presqu'ile PP.

[Nicko999]

Wow, just heard the biggest winter thunder. Lightning right in front of my eyes a couple seconds before. Considering it's pouring, I will call it t-storm.

The radar confirms it.

[giallo]

^Cool. Winter lightning is rare. I don't think I've ever seen it out here in the winter months.

I was in Fairview around South Granville today. I like it out there. High of 6C today.

Oh, and Granville and Broadway has got to be the windiest/chilliest street corner in the city. It's always cold on that corner in the winter.

[zoomer]

The amount of moss, like really healthy thriving moss in much of Vancouver is incredible. Looks like a rainforest on some city streets and it also loves the buildings as well. Great pictures giallo and from TownGuy - you really have a knack for capturing nature shots, something I've yet to figure out. Also appreciate all the weather research - interesting stuff, as the expressions goes "the more you know!".

[Nicko999]

4C this afternoon. Some rain on and off. Like I said we had a thunderstorm this evening. Saw 1 lightning strike and heard the loudest thunder during January ever. Shortly after, the wind picked up and the temperature spiked to 8C.

Low of -1C (wind chill of -5)

The warmspot was Sarnia, ON at 16.0C. Warmest temperature of 2026.

Warmest low was Cape St James, BC at 7.8C. My windy BC islands comment were aimed at places like that. Wind gusts over 100 km/h.

[MonctonRad]

+5C and sunny in Moncton at 1 PM.

Rain overnight. Quite windy this morning. Pleasant right now. The snow on my property has taken quite a cutting, and the ice on my driveway is about 50% gone. Hopefully it will be all gone by this evening.

More shite tomorrow. Snow, ice pellets, freezing rain and perhaps some rain. They are calling for about 5 cm of snow in Moncton tomorrow, Quite a bit more to the north, and a warning has been issued up there.

Upcoming week is unsettled, but not particularly cold.

[Zepfancouver]

Originally Posted by Nicko999

4C this afternoon. Some rain on and off. Like I said we had a thunderstorm this evening. Saw 1 lightning strike and heard the loudest thunder during January ever. Shortly after, the wind picked up and the temperature spiked to 8C.

Low of -1C (wind chill of -5)

The warmspot was Sarnia, ON at 16.0C. Warmest temperature of 2026.

Warmest low was Cape St James, BC at 7.8C. My windy BC islands comment were aimed at places like that. Wind gusts over 100 km/h.

I was looking in on Montreal's wind storm last night and saw for the first time in over 34 years, Place Ville Marie's light beacon.
The farthest I've seen that beacon is from Rawdon.
For the past few years I thought the beacon was shut down permanently, dont know where I got that thinking from.
I was thrilled (home sick) to see it again.


https://makeagif.com/i/g_n5A_
https://www.myearthcam.com/sylpare

[SignalHillHiker]

Big ol' fluffy flakes, luh!

• Video Link

[Zepfancouver]

Finally! I have lived long enough to see the day

[giallo]

Originally Posted by zoomer

The amount of moss, like really healthy thriving moss in much of Vancouver is incredible. Looks like a rainforest on some city streets and it also loves the buildings as well. Great pictures giallo and from TownGuy - you really have a knack for capturing nature shots, something I've yet to figure out. Also appreciate all the weather research - interesting stuff, as the expressions goes "the more you know!".

And I love this time of year because of how green the city gets.

I know a lot of people get down on the constant rain in the winter (it can get long in the tooth some days), but the benefits are there. Strolling around an established neighbourhood in Metro Vancouver will reveal thirty shades of green. It's something I never really noticed until I left and came back.

[TownGuy]

Grey day but its a unique Grey. Very bright.

The mild weather did a number on the snow. This was a pumpkin patch. Still some little ones remaining.

[SignalHillHiker]

Originally Posted by Zepfancouver

Finally! I have lived long enough to see the day

I completely forgot about that conversation - only had Tancredi in mind writing my caption. But now that you remind me: YEAH! EAT S*** BUDDY! I WAS RIGHT!

[Zepfancouver]

[Nicko999]

1C this afternoon and a mix of sun and clouds. Beautiful day. Right now it's snowing hard. Close to 7-8 cm. Pretty much made up the melted snow from the past few days. Should switch to rain soon. Hopefully sooner because I don't want more snow.

Low of -1C (wind chill of -3)

The warmspot was Claresholm, AB at 11.9C.

Warmest low was Bella Bella, BC at 9.2C.

[Arrdeeharharharbour]

The temp range here yesterday was 8.3/1.8. Looking at the long range forecast it appears the weather will be pleasant enough for the remainder of my time here this winter as I'm soon off to warmer climes. Westjet's direct Halifax Barcelona flight is seasonal unfortunately, so we'll be going through Heathrow. I used the direct Barcelona flight this past fall and it was awesome to get there so quickly and easily. I personally know more than a dozen people who will be boarding ships in Barcelona this winter rather than going to the US. So Westjet, if you're reading this, make the flight year round.

Jan11 by A.J. Forsythe, on Flickr