What Is The Weather Today? (No Mercury Jockeying!)

[Denscity]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

Both Vancouver and Victoria experienced a hard freeze overnight, with temps dropping to -2 at Victoria Harbour, -3 at YVR and lots of -5 temps, including in the Valley, at YYJ and in Nanaimo. Even Tofino dropped to -2. It'll likely be even colder tonight, perhaps even record breaking for Victoria, the record low at YYJ for 11 Feb being -5.5.

Here in the Red River Valley, it's another sunny and cold one, the fifth day now in a row where the temperature will not break -20 and every night of the last six has been below -25, four of them below -30. We didn't get some of the very extreme temperatures seen further west, but we did see a -35 on Monday morning, the first in 2 years. Some moderation is likely early next week and temps should recover to seasonal (-8) by mid or late week.

Currently at YWG, a brilliant blue sky, -30, light westerly. It's nice inside. Despite the cold the sun is noticeably higher in the sky now so there is ever so slightly the first hint of spring. Nearing 10 hours of daylight and about 70 additional minutes in the afternoon compared with the December minimum.

Looks like Sooke near Victoria stayed above zero (+1.2C) last night.

[Chadillaccc]

Currently -28 at 9 am. The extreme cold has been extended 3 days longer than initially forecast (til Saturday), and then back above freezing by Monday/Tuesday, ostensibly.

Good news is both Aurora and I are getting used to the cold, so I don't have to fork out $200 for a coat I'll use 5 days a year, and she's wanting to go for longer walks despite the cold. My gal's a beast.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by csbvan

The Pacific air always bats last...I expect tonight to be quite chilly, but we have dodged the real harsh cold so far. Could still set a record tomorrow if we get down to the predicted -8 tonight, or even -7.

Also the dew point at YVR is -6.8 right now, temperature -1. Maybe that's "damp cold". Of course this is a measure of relative humidity. Absolute humidity cannot be high at -1.

[Marty_Mcfly]

Originally Posted by someone123

Also the dew point at YVR is -6.8 right now, temperature -1. Maybe that's "damp cold". Of course this is a measure of relative humidity. Absolute humidity cannot be high at -1.

Exactly. A difference in relative humidity of 20% and 90% when the temperature is -10 is negligible.

[wave46]

It's the lack of sun that does it for me.

If it's cold, it's most often sunny. Standing in the sun on a -20C day (without wind) is actually not too bad.

If it's warmish, it's more than likely overcast. That warming effect is lost.

Anyway, it was -24C in Sudbury this morning with sun and is supposed to reach -12C. I'm alright with this.

I like variety in my suffering.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by someone123

I don't care about the city competition here or and which city is better is subjective but you are not using good data for Halifax. There is a significant difference between conditions at the airport, which is about 30 km in from the coast in a snowbelt area, and the city itself.

The winter mean for the city (peninsula) is in the -1 to -2 range. Snowfall for the Citadel is 154 cm and Sambro is 114 cm. And in both places most precipitation falls as rain year-round so a lot of this measurable snowfall is stuff that never gets shoveled.

at the city competition.

Halifax has actually had an easy winter so far. From memory we've only had 3 significant snowfalls so far this season, and Sunday's 30-40 cm fell on bare ground. Only 1 or 2 'cold snaps' as well, though my definition of a 'cold snap' would probably feel like spring weather to some Canadians...

Even Sunday's nor'easter wasn't much of a problem. We knew about it a couple of days in advance, the government issued statements for people to stay off the roads, and most businesses, schools, and gov. offices were closed on Monday. It snowed and blew Sunday night through Monday morning, we dug out on Monday, and by Tuesday it's business as usual.

This AM it was -8 and sunny with a slight breeze. Really nice weather for a brisk winter walk. By next week, our daily highs will back up to just below the freezing mark. Not bad, really.

I'm glad everybody is happy where they live... I know I am.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Halifax has actually had an easy winter so far. From memory we've only had 3 significant snowfalls so far this season, and Sunday's 30-40 cm fell on bare ground. Only 1 or 2 'cold snaps' as well, though my definition of a 'cold snap' would probably feel like spring weather to some Canadians...

I find my experience of what makes a good or bad winter often doesn't match the way things are discussed here. I don't mind snow or storms. In fact they are kind of nice (interesting, pretty), as long as there aren't too many. I guess you could say I have been "conditioned" but I think that's wrong because I actually have earlier memories of living in BC than NS, and in any case I don't think that's how things work nor is it a good "argument".

I think lifestyle, infrastructure, and planning have a lot to do with how enjoyable winter is. If you're in a condo you don't have to do any shoveling so that makes more difference than whether you are in a city with 120 cm of snow or 150 cm of snow per year. Most of the people who choose exurbia and big driveways in the snow belt areas have snow blowers. In Halifax there has been a shift toward multi-unit living and more managed rather than DIY snow clearance although I am sure many still have complaints.

The big saving graces for NS winter are the bright sunny winter days and the fact that a lot of weather systems change to rain or fall completely as rain when they would have been snow someplace else. For every snow storm day there are usually lots of days with highs around 0 and sun. And the true winter is only around 3 months long.

If I had to pick the worst thing about NS it's not the winters, it's the spring which is too cold and feels extremely "slow" (weeks and weeks of the same, not warm enough to feel that nice out). If somebody could wave a magic wand and bump up temperatures by 5 degrees from March to May it would be quite nice.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by someone123

I find my experience of what makes a good or bad winter often doesn't match the way things are discussed here. I don't mind snow or storms. In fact they are kind of nice (interesting, pretty), as long as there aren't too many. I guess you could say I have been "conditioned" but I think that's wrong because I actually have earlier memories of living in BC than NS, and in any case I don't think that's how things work nor is it a good "argument".

I think lifestyle, infrastructure, and planning have a lot to do with how enjoyable winter is. If you're in a condo you don't have to do any shoveling so that makes more difference than whether you are in a city with 120 cm of snow or 150 cm of snow per year. Most of the people who choose exurbia and big driveways in the snow belt areas have snow blowers. In Halifax there has been a shift toward multi-unit living and more managed rather than DIY snow clearance although I am sure many still have complaints.

The big saving graces for NS winter are the bright sunny winter days and the fact that a lot of weather systems change to rain or fall completely as rain when they would have been snow someplace else. For every snow storm day there are usually lots of days with highs around 0 and sun. And the true winter is only around 3 months long.

If I had to pick the worst thing about NS it's not the winters, it's the spring which is too cold and feels extremely "slow" (weeks and weeks of the same, not warm enough to feel that nice out). If somebody could wave a magic wand and bump up temperatures by 5 degrees from March to May it would be quite nice.

Agreed on all points, especially the spring weather. I will admit to being jealous when I see the lovely spring photos in Vancouver that are posted here, but even then I've gained an appreciation for the incremental changes that happen as we advance through spring in NS. If you pay attention you can actually see things change on a weekly basis.

As far as snow clearing goes, you are right in that people adapt. If you have a large driveway, you would buy a snowblower, or enlist the services of a snow clearing company. My neighbour has attached a plow to his ATV so he gets to ride it in the winter while clearing his snow. I am one of those sick people who likes getting out in the fresh air and shovelling my own driveway - it's great exercise and a good opportunity to collect your thoughts while just enjoying being outside. Not unlike going on a run, actually, but a different form of exercise.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by someone123

I don't care about the city competition here or and which city is better is subjective but you are not using good data for Halifax. There is a significant difference between conditions at the airport, which is about 30 km in from the coast in a snowbelt area, and the city itself.

The winter mean for the city (peninsula) is in the -1 to -2 range. Snowfall for the Citadel is 154 cm and Sambro is 114 cm. And in both places most precipitation falls as rain year-round so a lot of this measurable snowfall is stuff that never gets shoveled.

The winter mean at Halifax-Citadel which is right downtown, is -2.8° compared with -4.5° at YHZ. Snowfall is 107 cm compared with 148 cm at YHZ, but the slightly warmer temps give 288 mm of winter rainfall compared to 250 mm.

I knew the Maritimes were snowy, but didn't realize just how snowy they are until you got me looking. I'm giving winter (Dec-Feb) totals only, not factoring in March and April (which I'm sure is mostly in the first half) which add on an average of about 53 cm. Charlottetown averages 68 cm during that period, about two years worth for Vancouver. Interesting. I suppose that also contributes to the marked seasonal lag experienced there. For example, while your February daily maxima in Halifax are about 8° warmer than Winnipeg (10° in Dec. and Jan.), by April the average daily maxima here has rebounded quickly and has overtaken Halifax by about 2 1/2° and 4° for Charlottetown.

Most urban areas have micro climates to varying degrees. Compare YVR to Langley or Port Moody, YWG to the Forks (a winter mean about a degree and a half warmer than YWG despite being only 4 or 5 miles distant as the crow flies) or YYZ to the Annex. I was doing an airport to airport comparison.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

Snowfall is 107 cm compared with 148 cm at YHZ, but the slightly warmer temps give 288 mm of winter rainfall compared to 250 mm.

Consider what happens in a place that gets 107 cm of snow during the same period when 288 mm of rain falls. Often these are the same weather systems, and they go from snow to rain as a system moves up the coast. A few weeks back a storm passed over the area. Net snow accumulation in the city was 0, recorded snowfall was probably in the 10-20 cm range, airport was much more than that. That's a standard event. The coastal systems tend to carry relatively large amounts of moisture so there are relatively few days when these events happen.

[Denscity]

A chilly -14.0C last night!
Today sunny with a couple rogue clouds spitting out the odd snowflake.

-6 -8 -6 -6 -3 -3 +1

[someone123]

I am not sure why one would focus so narrowly on snow. I didn't realize it but Calgary hasn't been above -20 for 3 days and isn't expected to get above for another 3 days. To me it's not clear how that could be more enjoyable than the aftermath of a snowstorm that at this point has been dealt with.

I like to follow the Halifax peninsula weather stations for fun. The one I follow hasn't hit -20 since they started collecting data in 2004 and the coldest low so far this winter is -9.5 (actually just looked and it hit -10.1, so first -10 of the year on February 10, mainly sunny today). Maybe Calgary has a microclimate like that somewhere too; I don't pretend to be an expert on Calgary weather. So far the February average high for Halifax is about +4 but it's going to fall well below that by the end of the cold snap.

Most of Canada right now is basically getting its worst weather, the events you'd see once per season or maybe not at all some years. For Vancouver this means a few days with highs around 0 and lows in negative single digits with light snow, in Halifax it means an Atlantic storm or two will hit as snow and a period with highs in the negative single digits, on the Prairies it brings low temperatures.

[Denscity]

UV index 2 at home wooo haha!

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by someone123

I am not sure why one would focus so narrowly on snow. I didn't realize it but Calgary hasn't been above -20 for 3 days and isn't expected to get above for another 3 days. To me it's not clear how that could be more enjoyable than the aftermath of a snowstorm that at this point has been dealt with.

I like to follow the Halifax peninsula weather stations for fun. The one I follow hasn't hit -20 since they started collecting data in 2004 and the coldest low so far this winter is -9.5 (actually just looked and it hit -10.1, so first -10 of the year on February 10, mainly sunny today). Maybe Calgary has a microclimate like that somewhere too; I don't pretend to be an expert on Calgary weather. So far the February average high for Halifax is about +4 but it's going to fall well below that by the end of the cold snap.

Most of Canada right now is basically getting its worst weather, the events you'd see once per season or maybe not at all some years. For Vancouver this means a few days with highs around 0 and lows in negative single digits with light snow, in Halifax it means an Atlantic storm or two will hit as snow, on the Prairies it brings low temperatures.

As I said, Calgary has a more extreme climate and a significantly greater diurnal range, after all it's at 51° and up at 3,400 feet with no maritime influence, but the mean temps in winter are fairly close to those in Halifax. You can't take the recent cold snap and suggest that this is average Calgary weather, in fact daytime temps have been 20-25 degrees below seasonal. Who knows what the balance of the month holds, it could be a bitterly cold February like 2019 or it could be more typical like last year. If a chinook rolls in it's not at all uncommon to see a few days go up above 10° or even 15°.

Here's for January 2021:

Calgary

Avg max 1.0
Avg min -9.5
Mean -4.3 (normal -7.1)

Precip 4.4 mm (average 9.4)

Days above 5° 11
Nights below -15° 8

Halifax

Avg max -0.1
Avg min -5.7
Mean -2.9 (normal -5.9)

Precip 96.1 mm (average 134.3)

Days above 5° 1
Nights below -15° 0

So I don't know, take your pick, both shite, but January in Canada is not known for good weather.

[hollywoodcory]

One of doors had iced over and we had to use a little force to get it to open.

YYC dropped to -29.6 overnight. Don't think we will avoid -30 tonight though. EC's forecast low of -35 would be the coldest in over 10 years. I don't think YYC Airport has seen a temp that low since the early 2000s, but could be wrong.

[Chadillaccc]

The fact that there is a debate between a coastal city 750 km south and 4000 km east of a semi arid city 1,100 meters above sea level abutting the front ranges is.... hilarious. The reality that the temperatures are actually comparable is also kind of funny.

[Curmudgeon]

^^^

I find it quite informative, but then again I'm a weather geek.

While I knew the coastal location would ameliorate the temperatures, I wasn't aware that winters in Halifax were THAT much gentler than most other Maritime locations, esp. interior New Brunswick. It's good to learn something every day.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

As I said, Calgary has a more extreme climate and a significantly greater diurnal range, after all it's at 51° and up at 3,400 feet with no maritime influence, but the mean temps in winter are fairly close to those in Halifax. You can't take the recent cold snap and suggest that this is average Calgary weather, in fact daytime temps have been 20-25 degrees below seasonal. Who knows what the balance of the month holds, it could be a bitterly cold February like 2019 or it could be more typical like last year. If a chinook rolls in it's not at all uncommon to see a few days go up above 10° or even 15°.
.

Well, Calgary does get doozies in terms of cold snaps in the winter with temperatures you won't even see in the more populated parts of Ontario-Quebec.

But then again as you say chinooks can also bring mid-winter highs well above zero that would be almost a once-in-a-lifetime thing for Jan-Feb in this part of the country.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by q12

Bad time to make that argument. The next 4 days in Calgary are all you need to show me why I wouldn't tolerate living in Calgary.

CALGARY

But it is a dry cold.

[rousseau]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

Calgary's winters are much more tolerable not only compared with Halifax but compared with any major city in Central or Atlantic Canada.

Heh heh...funny!