It’s -4C out which must sound very cold to my friends to the south. With wind gusts of 60+kph the wind chill is -14C. That must sound very cold. But it actually isn’t. Brisk yes, but above seasonal.
It’s the snow. Already there are drifts around 3 feet or more and it’s been coming down since last night. It’s not unusual, it means some extra shovelling and snow blowing. I’ve seen two cars go by today.
There have been several deaths in this region this past week; snowmobilers eager to get out on the trails and lakes going through the ice which would normally be safe this time of year. Most riders hit pressure cracks or open water and don’t make it out. I hate covering snowmobile deaths, watching police and fire departments pull bodies out of lakes is chilling in ways I’ve never found words for.Â
It’s the fact it is supposed to go above freezing in the morning that makes life difficult for people.  Right now the snow is fairly easy to move, tomorrow if it warms up as forecast it’ll be like moving wet cement or freezing rain will create a crust that is hard to move on. It’s easier for plows not to clear it until the storm is over.
While I watch it snow sitting warm and safe at this computer, 65 people died in Poland when a roof collapsed. 140 have been injured. About 500 people were in an exhibition hall when the roof caved in. Flat roofs and heavy snow are not a good combination.
While North Americans are dealing with above average temperatures, Europeans are trying to cope with below normal. 200 people have have frozen to death as temperatures plunged in Russia and Europe.
The snow doesn’t give a soft white damn whom it touches. – e.e. cummings
Â
Â
Bene, Here in good ol’ Wisconsin the temps have been way above normal for quite a while. In fact, there has only been one day below the freezing temp in the last month and a half. Snow fall also is way down. We had one five inch snow fall, a couple two-inchers, and nothing else.
Overall, I am enjoying this winter very much, and could get used to it quickly. However, I am sorry to hear that Europe is getting shellaqed with such cold weather.
In the words of Napolean Dynamite’s brother, Peath out, bro.
Warmest winter in Canada in 100 years, coldest in parts of Europe in 50 years.
Given your state is right beneath Lake Superior sounds like your winter isn’t average either.
Nope, this winter is far above average. In fact, I can’t remember a winter like this, and being thirty-eight years old, that’s almost saying something.
My wife, from Calgary has been bemoning the 35-40 degree celcius days, (with 70-90% humidity) we’ve been having here in Newcastle, Australia. Her comment, “I can’t do another Summer here!” I tried to rationalise with her that winters in Calgary pose a whole different set of issues, “I don’t care!”, was the response.
I guess we’re moving within the year