What happened to our W*I*N*T*E*R Canada???

I'm pretty sure at this time last year, and the year before, we (Saskatchewan anyways ;) were feeling temps of -50 to -54 (including windchill). This past month we've been above zero (daytime), more often then below, and tonight it's raining, almost pouring, out there. :S

So what's it like in your neck of the woods???

This message was edited Jan 10, 2006 7:57 PM

I remember it being bitterly cold this time last year! This year we had some really cold weather early Dec and nothing to speak of since then. No snow, 14C on Xmas day! Well as long as we dont have a chinook lasting long enough for the ground to start to defrost I guess the plants will be OK but I always find I lose a few when there is little or no snowcover.

Most of the snow here is gone as well fancy. We've got a protected yard so still have a little (but it's mainly an inch or two of snow covered with ice now). A very strange winter.

Crossing fingers and toes for our plants!

Yahoooooooooo!!!!! So little snow, so little cold. It's going up to 8C here tomorrow with rain, and the milder temps are supposed to last until Saturday, when we're going all the way down to -1C :-) I love this (can you tell at all that I detest snow and cold and everything winter stands for?). Some Canadian, eh?
--Ginny

LOLOL ;) Still it just doesn't seem right (normal). I don't want the -30's (and lower either tho ;).

I think I'm going to take a peek at the Old Farmer's Almanac and see what's in store for next summer.

I knew the prairies were in for a mild winter and I now see winter was predicted to be relatively mild in much of Canada, with above-normal Arctic temperatures, on average, with only occasional very cold periods.

Summer will be hotter and drier than normal just about everywhere :S (excluding southern Ontario).

Old Farmer's 2006 Almanac
p207

Here's my current theory for my area of Ontario:

Two years ago we had a cool and wet growing season (can't remember what that winter was like) - many plants held back and never really made much of themselves.

Last year we had tons of snow and a prolonged deep freeze in the winter then blistering heat and drought in the growing season - again, many plants could not thrive in this.

Working on the law of averages, this year we are getting a mild and easygoing kinda winter, so maybe we'll be getting an average sort of just right growing season. LOL Works for me!

Well here's a *little* longer version Ginny........

Don't despair ladies, I have lived in this country long enough to know the conditions can change quickly, despite the predictions of the "Farmer's Almanac" There are a lot of weeks of winter left yet! Let's just see how it pans out over the next 3 months.

Continuing on.........

Hi Don :)

That it can. ;) (esp. in this province)

Just got home from work.......I am sooooooooooooooooo happy we bought the Easterner's tires this winter (ie. ice tires instead of our usual all-season). Ü

The Rideau Canal skateway here in Ottawa just opened a few days ago and most likely will be closed down tomorrow because it's too warm and raining.

I don't recall last winter as being bitterly cold, but it was cold enough and a steady cold that the canal was open for a record or near record season.

It is not unusual for us to have a real thaw near the end of Janaury, usually followed by heavy rains and an overnight freeze-up. I could live quite happily without that.

Ann

I'm actually getting concerned about the snow cover, or lack thereof. What's spring going to be like if there isn't any snow to melt into the ground, could make for a pretty tough growing season ahead.

The copy of the farmer's almanac I have called for below normal temps for southern Ontario in Dec and Jan, I'd say it's going to have to be pretty cold at the end of the month for this to happen, we're suppose to get up to +8 today.

Crazy weather, bring back the "normal" stuff so my plants are all protected.

Sunkeeper

I watched the weather channel last night, and other than the mountains and east coast, it sure doesn't look too promising for the short term forecast. Winnipeg may get a smattering.

Sounds like we all need it. :(

I do NOT need more snow! LOL I'm all for a more permanent warming trend actually. But in order to be a good neighbour I will pray fervently that you all get all of the rest of my winter snow alotment :-)

LOL...Ginny we will gladly take it! :) Your plants however may not be too happy about it. ;)

Yipppppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee thanks Ginny!!! We have huge big fluffy flakes falling right now. :D Ü :D

Hey, anytime! Glad to be of service ;-)

Got a bit of the white stuff here too but dont suppose it will last long!

Thanks Ginny!

Happy to oblige! Can I offer up my 2006/07 allotment of snow as well? Any takers?

You've got pull somewhere Ginny ;) ......it's still coming down! Keep it up!!! Ü

Ü Doing the happy gardener's dance here now! Ü

Nothing but rain for the last three weeks on the West Coast, I hate the rain around Christmas time, really takes away from that "Christmas feeling".

Gimme the rain anytime. At least you don't have to shovel it! And you must admit, it sure is nice having everything so nice and green.

Bryan I understand your feelings perfectly. Ü We will try to send some your way next year! :)

Lilypon, you are sounding entirely TOO happy with your snow!!!

Glenda

Glenda we just have toooooo little out there. ;) If the temperatures drop to our normal winter loveliness nothing is gonna make it to spring.

edited to say the total amount we received was ~1 to 2 cm. We, being anyone in the colder zones without snow (that wants it), will continue to be tickled pink to get yours Ginny. ViolaAnn and sunkeeper would also appreciate a nod from you in their direction ;).


This message was edited Jan 11, 2006 11:33 PM

Consider it done! LOL I don't know about ViolaAnn and sunkeeper though - they're pretty close, relatively speaking, to me. I'll only send it their way if they promise to keep it confined to their own borders and don't let it get loose.

Praying.......praying......praying very hard.......hope it's working!!!!!!

But but Ginnylynn, your plants want some snow. Now I'm not asking that we get dumped on, just enough to keep them toasty warm and protected till April. Besides, this rain is soooooooooo gloomy and depressing.

Picture this, light snow flakes dancing in the sunlight. A beautiful red cardinal sitting in the pines. Sun so bright it's blinding......ahhh, a perfect winter's day.

Noooooooooo. My plants do not want anymore snow. What they really want is for this to be Spring and the temps to stay mild! Besides, we don't get many cardinals in my area - only one has been seen in the past 10 years :-)

Last year, my hyacinths came up under the snow. It was so deep and took so long to melt that when I could finally see them the stems and leaves were completely white and misshapen, and I almost lost the lot of them!

Here's my "picture in your mind": Bright clear sunshine on a mild fresh-smelling day. The buds on trees and shrubs just about bursting they're so plump. Brand new bright green shoots coming up all over the gardens. Toads and chipmunks and birds and bees filling the air with their songs and the yards with their delightful antics. The grass so green and lush from the gentle rains that you almost want to take your shoes off and run across it bare foot. That electrifying feeling of everything in the world being new again. What heaven - a perfect spring day!

All kidding aside, I know that the lack of snowcover places my plants at risk when the next inevitable cold snap comes, but I so long for spring during the long dreary days of winter that I'm more than willing to trade a few plants for this tiny early glimpse of spring. Plants can be replaced easily for the most part. I'm a Leo, and a natural sun-child.

--Ginny

You are NOT playing nice Ginny .......... teasing us with visions of paradise. ;b

I'm going to have to burn sunkeepers image in my mind now. ;) Only I'll put Chickadees, or Nuthatches, or Blue Jays in my mind's eye (since Cardinals aren't to be found here).

Here's a little spring time fun. This is a little ditty my Mom used to tell us kids in the spring when we were little. I think almost everyone has heard one version of it or another.

Spring is sprung,
The grass is riz.
I wonder where
The birdies is?
Some say the bird
Is on the wing,
But that's absurd -
The wing is on the bird.

(Variously attributed to Ogden Nash, Spike Milligan, and Anonymous. Also comes in different flavours - different spellings, different wording.)

--Ginny

Oh yeah....just one more thing....I live in Blyth and work in London, and I have seen an average of 2 robins per month each and every month in both places. They have never migrated south this year. Do they know something we don't? Oh please, please, please let it be true :-)

(photo from Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve - found on Santa Fe Botanical Garden web site)

LOL............Ginnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy it's January 12th don't do this!!!! ;) We still have 3 more months of ???

LOLOL Okay....I'll stop now....but I'll think about it if I want and you can't stop me....

(image from an unknown web source emailed to me a couple of years ago)

chuckling here :)

I did check your 14 day forecast and you could get some snow ....... you really will be pouting then. ;)

Please somebody send smelling salts to poor Ginny! Her bottom lip is prolly touching the ground by now.

sniff....no, that's okay.....sniff, snuffle.....I'll suck it up....sniff, sniff.....I'm a big girl now...Whaaaaaaaa! :-)