Winter
November 18, 2010 - 2:40pm
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?
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".
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.
-13 here and endlessly, endlessly snowing.
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.
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.
Waited five hours yesterday to have winter tires put on the car. Maybe should have done that earlier.
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.)
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.
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.
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."
Depending on who picks up the challenge, it might be more the next "Canada's Really Big".
Snow in Chilliwack. Otherwise it is pretty standard rainforest winter weather. Rain followed by drizzle.
Yuk!
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.
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.
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.
Cold in Calgary- more snow and cold weather to come- for a change it feels like the early 70's!
Still mild in Port Hope.
All that radium in your soil will help keep things warm.
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.
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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").
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".
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.
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.
Still mild in Port Hope.
The hot air from Helen Caldicott, you mean.
-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. :-)
This morning my little thermometer said it was 10C outside. Is Toronto the town that winter forgot??
Wait for it.
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!
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.
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.
Better check for smallpox.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Just looking for a clarification Catchfire... do you (mistakenly) consider the crushing of brussel sprouts and broccoli to somehow be a "bad" thing?
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.
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.
There was a coyote in town today. I saw it on the main street.
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.
But that is very cold for Vancouver...
Meanwhile, Record-setting cold continues in L.A. area
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.
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.
from: 2010-2011 Canada Winter Forecast
Apparently something like 275 homeless people have died of exposure in France so far this winter. A couple of nights ago the temperature got down to -10, which is no big deal in Regina, but in France they had 95% humidity, which would suck the heat out of a bonfire.
The blower went on my Volvo, Malificent. I just drove her to the mechanic, trying very hard not to breath too much on the way so that the windshield didn't fog up. Took me back to the days where my VW had a gas heater I couldn't afford to get repaired until February...
Boom Boom, that looks scary. I HATE snow. (Of course I have a bus stop round the corner and three métro stations ten minutes' walk (in clement weather) from here, but I like to be able to walk around).
Last winter I was able to cycle all the season, and I'm not a winter cyclist like alQ.
Last week a Commissionaire tried to stop me from bringing my bike into the building. It was -25, I'd been chugging through ice and snow for about half an hour, I had to get to class, and I really didn't want to be bothered by this guy, so I kept right on going up to my office. I told him my crank would freeze up if I left the bike outside, so he said, "What if everybody did this?" I sorta laughed and said that I couldn't see this as being a problem (right now there are no bikes out in the rack - mine is there because it's above -10 today).
Somehow one of the building maintenance guys joined the Commissionaire and they both followed me up to my office. A plastic post under my saddle snapped as I tried lifting the bike into its position in the office - proof that the cold is hard on the machine - while these two guys were outside my office door writing up their rat report.
Apparently those two don't have enough to do.
Snow on the ground in Saint John. Hopefully, it disappears by the end of the week.
I hate difference.
My brussel sprouts have recovered quite boldly from the recent frost & snowfall (and current swampy mess), but the purple sprouting broccoli still looks like their struggling.
Fresh brussel sprouts are the best....
Beautiful Rocky Mountain day here, -2, very little snow on the valley floor, but the wind blew the other day in Portage and Main style, dead pine beetle killed trees were falling everywhere.
Maybe it will be our turn to cycle all winter. I hope so, anyway.
Cripes it's freezing. I live on the bottom floor of a two-floor house, but the upstairs neighbours control the heat and they're out. "Turn on the damned heat!" I want to yell.
yesterday we broke the record for the warmest temp recorded here on that date by several degrees. Was plus 2.
Lots of snow on the mountains , not much on the valley floor, sledders are happily sledding. Seems they are out earlier this year. Perhaps to get sledding in before the unstable snow conditions occur?
-5 in T.O.
Light flurries, and the first snow that hasn't melted as it hit the ground. Just a dusting for us though, while they're expecting serious snowfall in the snowbelt to the north and west.
Hey Serious snow in the north and west. Oh that's me! Fun driving tonight. Glad I am home.
Glad you're home safe too. Got the snow tires on?
I have them on my car but mom's doesn't - of who's I was driving (as she was shivering with fear in the back seat) but I managed. When I told her I couldn't safely switch lanes to pass someone who was braking a lot she said "I am getting snow tires as soon as all this crap clears up!". She lives further south and didn't realize the weather up here as this is the first year I have lived up here and thus giving her reason to visit. Just settling in for hibernation the next couple of days as I hear the storm will last awhile :-).
My son loves watching the snow fly by the window - almost as fun as watching the fire (only safer for mommy to relax and let him watch).
Oh yes, fires and children are worriesome.
When my granddaughter was small and would visit, I would sleep on the couch in the family room, as she would get up in the middle of the night to "watch the fire", and was scared she would touch sides of wood stove and burn those little star fish hands.
Nowadays, being that we have a different house, that would not be an issue though if my daughter decided to have another child.
Speaking of family they are coming this week for an extended Christmas visit. Woot!
8C and no sign of snow here, but we're expecting 100km/h wind soon. There's snow forecast for us later in the week, but not much.
Oh yes, fires and children are worriesome.
When my granddaughter was small and would visit, I would sleep on the couch in the family room, as she would get up in the middle of the night to "watch the fire", and was scared she would touch sides of wood stove and burn those little star fish hands.
Nowadays, being that we have a different house, that would not be an issue though if my daughter decided to have another child.
Speaking of family they are coming this week for an extended Christmas visit. Woot!
Yea, sounds like a good Christmas. My mother too is coming for an extended Christmas visit. We haven't gotten together in a few years for Christmas because we have always been off visiting different family at Christmas time so it should be nice.
We are currently having a small forest fire on the lower slopes of the mountain behind us, all standing dead pine beetle, seems funny to see trees crowning with fire on the back drop of snow.
Have not had Christmas with daughter in 4 years.
Must be a cool sight. I hope your Christmas goes well.
Welll I have been all week in Montreal and I must say that I am looking forward to the BC drizzle.
Still no snow, temp is still 5C this evening, the wind is finally dying down, and the rain is light. It looks more like spring here than winter!
Hard hit here. Snow coming out my ears. Feels kinda nice to see a real winter again and it's only December.
We are getting capital W - Winter now. Brutal cold, blowing snow and tons of it, and school buses cancelled. Frozen cars, icy roads, bad visibility everywhere. Plowed the driveway yesterday and it needs it again today. Looks incredible - beautiful - till you breathe in and the snot freezes in your nostrils.
Absolutely beautiful here, mild and melting, very little snow on the valley floors. Tried to snow and blow on Monday, but petered out and moved on to bug Polly's life.
Thanks refuge.
from: 2010-2011 Canada Winter Forecast
H'lo Boomer. Just struck me...they have not allowed for "lake effect" snowfall to the east and south of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. You perhaps heard about 300 motorists having to be "rescued" off Hwy 402 between London and Sarnia? The whole area got whacked with a northerly that blew down the length of Huron, and London has looked like something from Al Capp's Outer Slobovia for weeks now. Or perhaps you don't go back to Capp?
But I guess you don't get "gulf effect" stuff?
I don't know what's going on, George. Weare having the same winter (so far...) as last year - almost no snow, above average temps, etc... but also very strong wind and heavy rain.
Yes, I saw the news about all those stranded motorists and the Army rescues. Amazing. I was in London (Ontario) 1969 - 1971 and don't recall their winters as being that severe back then.
We're going to Sarnia this Christmas. To the same relatives who teased us mercilessly when Toronto's mayor called in the military eleven years ago for that epic snowfall.
Apparently in Sarnia, the problem of stranded motorists was magnified when people kept driving around the police roadblocks and into massive drifts of snow. Determined Christmas shoppers, I guess.
You will have fun reminding them of winter possibilities outside of "Mel's Toronto," Sineed. Hope they are able to make it home with the turkey and all the trimmings this week. Sarnia, of course, has one of the most progressive mayors in Canada (at least, I hope that the fella interviewed a few years back for Michael Moore's "Sicko" still directs council there).
Just checked the forecast - Monday we are supposed to get rain and temp of 3C - in January??? This is similar to last year's winter so far, which was the warmest here on record. Last winter, I did not get to use my new snowblower at all - and I used it this week for the first time; last Monday we had a mini-blizzard which gave us six inches of snow, and some drifts.
I guess all that stuff we read about last winter - Gulf Stream Diversion and the Arctic Oscillation is repeating itself this winter, but a couple of newer theories have surfaced since then, includng this one which I linked to earlier on another thread: Bundle Up, It's Global Warming
Holy crap. It's a beautiful sunny day here and 4C in January! And the snow has all but disappeared. I'm tempted to put the skidoo and snowblower back into storage.
Today is the fifth straight Monday we have had a snowstorm or torrential rains.
Today is the fifth straight Monday we have had a snowstorm or torrential rains.
We were forecast to get the same weather here, but it's sunny - although clouds are moving in now, so it could change later today.
ps: welcome back!
And good to see you as well, Boom Boom. We topped out at about 10 cm today. Mild weather compared to some of the storms we had in December in NB.
Very little snow here. A good rain will be the end of it.
ETA: revised forecast here calls for wet snow beginning this afternoon.
Blizzard expected here this weekend, and this week has been colder - temps overnight are -20C to - 25C.
An article which explains the effect of mild winters here on Quebec's Lower North Shore with (Google) English translation: Un deuxième hiver sans neige en Basse-Côte-Nord
"It's worse than last year, said the mayor of Mécatina, Randy Jones. Les lacs ne sont même pas gelés. The lakes are not even frozen. En ce moment, je suis à la fenêtre de mon bureau, et je peux voir une chaloupe à la mer, et un quatre roue qui circule. Right now, I'm at the window of my office and I can see a boat at sea, and a four wheel (ATV) which circulates. Ça soulève beaucoup de problèmes. It raises many problems. Chaque village devient une île. Each village becomes an island. Ça joue sur le moral des gens partout. It plays on people's morale everywhere. Le meilleur temps de l'année en Basse-Côte, c'est l'hiver.» The best time of year in Lower Coast, it's winter. "
En effet, le gros des activités et des rassemblements se font l'hiver en Basse-Côte-Nord. Indeed, the bulk of activities and gatherings are the winter in Lower North Shore. Sans neige, impossible de circuler, donc plus de parties de hockey entre villages, plus de visiteurs lors des fêtes et festivals, plus de touristes. Without snow, unable to move, so no more hockey games between villages, no more visitors during holidays and festivals, most tourists. Pour les gens de Harrington Harbour, qui sont sur une île, la neige leur permettait de se rendre sur terre pour couper du bois pour l'hiver. For the people of Harrington Harbour, who are on an island, snow and ice allowed them to go on land to cut wood for winter. Tout devient désormais beaucoup plus compliqué. Everything becomes much more complicated now.
«La liste des problèmes est longue, affirme le président du conseil municipal de Harrington Harbour, Paul Rowsell. "The list of problems is long," said council chairman of Harrington Harbour, Paul Rowsell. Les gens peuvent aller chercher du bois. People can go to fetch wood. Mais c'est beaucoup plus compliqué. But it's much more complicated. La plupart de nos événements pour lever des fonds pour différents programmes se font l'hiver. Most of our events to raise funds for various programs are in winter. Mais quand personne ne peut y venir, c'est un problème. But when nobody can get there, is a problem. Et l'hiver sans touriste, ça va créer beaucoup de problèmes financiers.» And winter without tourists, it will create a lot of financial problems. "
«La seule vraie solution est de finir la route. "The only real solution is to finish the road. Pas besoin d'être économiste pour savoir que les gens des villages les plus dévitalisés de la Côte-Nord n'ont pas les moyens de se payer l'avion. Not need an economist to know that people of the villages most lifeless of the North Shore can not afford the plane. Et quand le gouvernement veut, il peut. And when the government wants, he can. L'an dernier, on se disait que c'était de la malchance. Last year (mild winter) we said it was bad luck. Deux hivers de suite, ça commence à être inquiétant», déclare M. Jones. Two (mild) winters in a row, it starts to be disturbing, "says Jones.
We've got way more snow than is usual, and it's been colder than average, too. It's -34 this morning, -46 with wind chill factor.
The good news - my Volvo, Malificent, still started.
The bad news is it shattered.
No! Volvos are tough! :p
I was beginning to think we would get though January without even hitting -30. I can't believe people (who don't actually have a reason to, I mean) are complaining about this weather. They're saying it might shoot up today to 0 in Maple Creek, of course.
And the only time I can think of that my old volvo (a 240) needed something extra was one morning I had to park up the driveway, so I couldn't plug it in. This was in '97 when the temperature stayed at -49 (no, not with wind chill) for about a week. I brought the battery in, of course. But I also had to drain the engine oil into a pot, bring it inside and warm it up on the woodstove.
It was also so cold that trees were breaking, axe handles were breaking, and I broke a stud off one of my wheel hubs trying to change a tire. After that I gave up and stayed inside.
Also, on windchill, I know they used to to it as watts per square cm or something (over 2000 was damned cold). But when I was a kid they always broadcast it as "exposed skin will freeze in 1 minute, or less than 30 seconds".
Had to use my skidoo to get groceries today, too much snow for my 2wd truck. We are supposed to get a blizzard beginning tomorrow night and all day Saturday, with clear weather Sunday - Tuesday. We haven't hit -30C yet, coldest we've had this winter was yesterday or the day before, with -22C, with -29C windchill.
Any news from the Atlantic provinces on the blizzard? We had very strong wind last night, not nearly as much snow as was in the forecast (maybe it all blew north?). Still extremely windy here today - gusts of 100 km/h - but the sun is out at least.