Just read this, those kind of temperature changes must play havoc with peoples health.

I know I have lived there! - But never experienced that kind of erratic temeprature swing!

I do recall going into the Chinook centre shopping Mall for the first time on 9th/10th March 2005 in the afternoon when it was sunny and warm and the temperature was at +17C. But a few hours later I came out only to whitness snow at -2C by 9pm, when the shopping mall closed. - I was unprepared back then!

Peter will relate to that above very well.

Yes, indeed we did have our week of winter - it was pretty brutal, temps getting down below -30c.  Always good to stay indoors and watch the ice forming on the inside of the windows - not because it's cold inside, but because the temperature differential over the glass is enough to form ice!

Here's a sense of what the cold blast looked like:

Not much snow came, as predicted, and what did come has long since melted off, as we reverted back to warm and dry weather - temps sitting +10 to +15 above normal.   I'm not really complaining - and funnily enough I noticed the catkins are starting to come out - VERY early, it's usually early March before they think of doing that.

Forecast has warm and sunny weather to continue for the forseeable future. 

Peter 

July 2011 - June 2012 Stats
Elevation: 1084m
Latitude: 51° 6' N
Warmest Temperature: 30.4c 29/08/11
Coldest Temperature: -32.4c 18/01/12
Days with thunderstorms: 4
Days with rain falling: 20
Days with snow falling: 21
Days with snow lying: 63
Maximum snow depth: 6" (15cm)
Current snow depth 0" (patchy)

Hello folks, i notice that some spots particulary in Eastern & Southern England have seen snow, amazingly Scotland mostly snowfree for now by all accounts, hope your enjoying whatever the weather gave you this weekend! Over here in Ontario, things much quieter. Gone is the snow of last weekend and we're all green again after 14cm at one stage lay. This winter, unlike many before the snow doesn't remain for weeks on the ground as this topsy-turvy pattern continues.

Currently +4c but decent sunshine and this is the theme developing for the next week, much more settled and more sunshine but not overly cold, temps hovering around 0c.

Take Care

Hello all, very quiet week of weather for Southern Ontario with temps as forecast around the 0c mark but with good sunshine and not overly cold at night either. Weather starts to change tomorrow as we introduce a cold front which will bring snow, maybe a touch of sleet for some but definately many winterylike problems by tomorrow evening as EC warn in this advisory :

Special weather statement for:
      City of Toronto
      Windsor - Essex - Chatham-Kent
      Sarnia - Lambton
      Elgin
      London - Middlesex
      Simcoe - Delhi - Norfolk
      Dunnville - Caledonia - Haldimand
      Oxford - Brant
      Niagara
      City of Hamilton
      Halton - Peel
      York - Durham
      Huron - Perth
      Waterloo - Wellington
      Dufferin - Innisfil
      Grey - Bruce
      Barrie - Orillia - Midland
      Belleville - Quinte - Northumberland
      Kingston - Prince Edward
      Peterborough - Kawartha Lakes
      Stirling - Tweed - South Frontenac
      Bancroft - Bon Echo Park
      Brockville - Leeds and Grenville
      City of Ottawa
      Gatineau
      Prescott and Russell
      Cornwall - Morrisburg
      Smiths Falls - Lanark - Sharbot Lake.

Possible flash freeze late Friday.


---------------------------------------------------------------------
==discussion==
A sharp Arctic cold front will cross Southern Ontario later on
Friday. Northerly winds and some wet snow will herald the arrival of
the front followed by a few hours of snow. Temperatures will fall
quickly shortly after the front's passage. The combination of wet
snow freezing on untreated roads along with a couple of centimetres
of fresh snow may potentially create flash freeze conditions in some
parts of Southern Ontario. This can be particularly hazardous for
The greater Toronto area as it may impact rush hour traffic.

Environment Canada will monitor the development of this forecast
problem, and will issue a flash freeze warning if it becomes more
certain.

Please monitor the latest forecasts and warnings from Environment
Canada at WWW.WEATHEROFFICE.GC.CA.

We've had about 3 flash freeze scenario's this winter so far and they are fairly unpleasant to walk or drive in . If this hits the GTA during the friday rush hour home, there could be some major issues. Snow amounts might not be much but it should be enough to white the ground again and make things feel like winter, if for a couple days.

On a more general note, the indications that some forecasters noted in mid-Jan about pattern changes and longer term pattern changes for the rest of the winter simply haven't happened. A week of colder and snowier weather for much of Canada isn't a pattern change IMO! For once, Brett Anderson's assessment as i recall of a continuation to what went before looks like being very accurate.

Haven't seen Graeme on here for a wee bit, hopefully all is well back in Fife. I wonder if your still looking for your winter?

Take Care

Very quiet in your neck of the woods this winter.

Still happens sometimes, I guess normal service will be resumed by next winter at worse

Weekend greetings everyone.

I'm doing fine thanks Stewart - just seem to have been incredibly busy since starting a new job back in November. That coupled with the relatively quiet NA winter thus far has led to fewer posts from me. Still entirely snowless this winter here in NE Fife, to the extent that I haven't even seen a snowflake fall at home (as yet!). However I did get my fix of wintry weather last weekend in Amsterdam - three subzero days, 3" of snowfall and a -18c on Saturday morning - very much reminded me of being back in Canada!

Nice to see the T.O. webcams looking white this morning: http://www.rom.on.ca/visit/webcam.php A chilly -14c in Toronto as I write with windchill of -25c. While it will be less cold as we go into next week, there is still the prospect of some wintry weather for the Golden Horseshoe.

In the immediate short term a winter storm is targeting parts of Atlantic Canada today with heavy rain for more eastern and southern parts of NS and heavy snow on the 'cold side' of the storm in eastern New Brunswick. As often is the case Moncton seems like the bullseye in terms of snow, with 30cm in the forecast for tonight. It's already started snowing in Fredericton, further to the west: http://www.fredericton.ca/en/StJohnRiverWebcam.asp

Totally agree with your comments on the winter overall, Stewart - it's been a very odd one. The LRFs have been a complete bust. Still, it will be interesting to see if the end of February has a sting in its tail.

Talking of February, it's just about time for those magic words 'pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training' - a mantra for anyone who loves baseball. Would love to get down to Dunedin, FL to catch some games but alas it won't be this year. Nevertheless I'm intrigued to see how the upcoming season will unfold.

Have a great weekend.

Currently snowing in Times Square NYC:

http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/timessquare/

But by New York's standards this is pretty poor in terms of accumulations!

Hello all, winter has indeed returned to Ontario and when it has set in this year, it still feels blooming freezing there's just (until now) been little sustainability to the pattern. We've got some fairly special weather conditions out there right now with drifting snow, gusts to 30kph a w/c of - silly amounts and until an hour ago, some flurries still falling.

Dundas not competing too badly with big T.O. as Graeme posted earlier, we got -13c air temp, -23 w/c overnight and by all reports T.O. only has 4cm of snow, we've got 6cm! Nothing amazing i admit, far from it but in this winter you take it. Other more proned locations have seen higher amounts according to TWN, parts of the Niagara Penninsula have upto 40cm - i'd say this is definately unconfirmed.

Staying cold for the next few days with more flurries, maybe not as super cold however. Winter trying hard! As for NYC, they are forecasted to see some accumulating snow today but parts of New England more so N & W of Boston should see the highest more disruptive snowfalls. This pattern sweeping all the way down to parts of the southeast of the United States tonight as even Atlanta sees low's overnight of -2 to -5c.

Glad to hear all is well Graeme, work / weather balance always a challenge (not sure what's more important) Perhaps the bank manager has a better idea. Looking forward as always to the baseball season, as you know i do try and follow other Canadian passions like Hockey & Basketball but i just can't get the same feelings about those sports compared to the Blue Jays. Excited for this summer as my family are coming out to Ontario in June and planning to take my dad to his first (and if he enjoys it, his second! MLB game). Nothing better than the Skydome on a clear sun-filled evening. Hopefully the team can improve further on a decent campaign last time out.

Have a great weekend everyone whatever your doing.

Classic Atlantic Canada winter storm warning - pretty much everything but the kitchen sink!

http://weatheroffice.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html?nb12#nb12-996cwhx-015100

Fredericton and Southern York County
4:44 PM AST Saturday 11 February 2012
Winter storm warning for 
Fredericton and Southern York County continued

15 to 30 cm of snow with blowing snow expected tonight.

This is a warning that dangerous winter weather conditions are occurring in these regions. Monitor weather conditions..Listen for updated statements.

An intensifying low pressure system will approach from the southwest moving over the Gulf of St Lawrence by Sunday morning. Total snowfall amounts of 15 cm are forecast by Sunday morning with up to 30 cm for Extreme Southeastern New Brunswick.

Gusty winds will develop this evening and persist into Sunday morning. This combined with the fresh snow will give reduced visibilities in blowing snow.

This storm will also produce a storm surge. This in combination with a run of high astronomical tides will produce higher than normal water levels at the high tides on Sunday. Some ice rafting can be expected at the high tide near noon from Point Escuminac to Cape Tormentine as strong winds drive the ice onshore.

High water level warnings may be required for coastlines along the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence and Northumberland strait. Interests along these coastlines should take precautions.

Additionally in the wake of this storm a very cold airmass will invade the province. Wind chill values are expected to reach minus 35 or colder Monday morning over most of Western New Brunswick.

Well the storm certainly delivered for parts of the Maritimes: 42cm of snow fell in Charlottetown, PEI!

Sounds a lot, however parts of Romania got over 2-3 metres.

Either way I'm insanely jealous 

Hello folks, fairly non-descript weather here in the GTA over the past week, one day of flurries followed by some sun, then rain then back to flurries! Today, at 2c, we're in the slightly cooler pattern with snow flurries thru the City of Hamilton area about an hour ago and an area of more general snow squall activity setting up just to the east of T.O. which could bring some areas anything between 5-10cm of fresh accumulation by days end, 2-5cm in downtown Toronto itself possible.

Apart from that we're in the same weather pattern that has been around Eastern Canada and for that, NE United States for the most part during this winter season. The week ahead, forecast to be no different with flurries changing to rain showers by Monday and an unsettled but not stormy pattern during the week. Temps between -1c & 5c.

I've been following from afar, work getting in the road again...... potential for something more significant to come along as Accuweather have been discussing for a good 7-10 days now. However, the storm they thought (or Henry thought!) was to bring a good covering to the Chicagoland/Detroit Metroplex and into Southern Ontario/Lake Erie border for this weekend is infact delivering some snow, not overly troublesome to Roanoake and the Mid-Atlantic states some 1000 miles further south. It appears this winter going to play hardball with all the areas which saw tremendous amounts of snow during winter 2010-11.

Have a great weekend everyone

Hi all, the period of non-weather is coming to an abrupt end this evening across Southern Ontario as winter returns with it's biggest clout of the season so far :

Special weather statement for:
      City of Toronto
      Windsor - Essex - Chatham-Kent
      Sarnia - Lambton
      Elgin
      London - Middlesex
      Simcoe - Delhi - Norfolk
      Dunnville - Caledonia - Haldimand
      Oxford - Brant
      Niagara
      City of Hamilton
      Halton - Peel
      York - Durham
      Huron - Perth
      Waterloo - Wellington
      Dufferin - Innisfil
      Belleville - Quinte - Northumberland
      Kingston - Prince Edward
      Peterborough - Kawartha Lakes
      Stirling - Tweed - South Frontenac
      Kaladar - Bannockburn - Bon Echo Park
      Brockville - Leeds and Grenville
      City of Ottawa
      Gatineau
      Prescott and Russell
      Cornwall - Morrisburg
      Smiths Falls - Lanark - Sharbot Lake.

Snow is coming.


---------------------------------------------------------------------
==discussion==
A low pressure system over Missouri this morning is expected to track
northeastward across the Lower Great Lakes tonight. Precipitation
will begin over Southwestern Ontario early this evening as rain
before changing to snow later this evening. The snow will spread to
the greater Toronto area near midnight and to the Quebec border by
Friday morning. Current indications suggest that total snowfall
amounts in the 10 to 15 cm range are likely for most regions. The
exception will be those areas just north of Lake Erie, where snowfall
accumulations should be somewhat reduced due to rain and possibly
some freezing rain mixing with the snow at times tonight.

The snow is expected to taper off from west to east Friday afternoon
and evening.

Looking good at this hour for a proper snowstorm across many parts of the GTA overnight into Friday. As EC say, anything between 10-15cm possible across a wide area maybe slightly less accumulation near the Erie coast. If, and judging by this winter that's a very big two letter word......but IF......the forecast is correct they'll be fun 'n' games for tomorrow morning's rush-hour and it will be the single highest snowfall of this disappointing 2011/12 winter season.

Snow is also likely to be disruptive in the United States with Chicago & Detriot affected. Ploughable snow should begin to melt almost as quick as it departs Ontario tomorrow as slightly wamer air keeps the temps between 0-2c and with the stronger sun, some melting will occur. The weekend stays in that theme, sunshine and one or two snow or rain showers/flurries.

Headline this afternoon is, finally winter proper is coming for a visit!

 Good luck Stewart, you're certainly due some when it comes to snowfall this winter. The projected storm track looks pretty good though a little bit further south would be ideal and push you into the 15cm+ zone. As you mentioned no really cold air entrenched with this and with it being late Feb some melting on paved surfaces is inevitable. People often forget how far south Southern Ontario is, compared with our latitude.

As Pearson has only seen around 33cm of snowfall all winter, a 10cm fall would be notable. I'll be checking the webcams in the morning!

Been very mild across the eastern USA too according to Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203918304577239721322951342.html

Not really been much of a winter to speak about, has it?  Not in the East or the West.  Usually one side or the other is getting interesting weather!

February has proven to be more of the same, albeit temperatures a little closer to average and a little bit more precipitation.  Not much more, really the case of the occasional dusting, though we managed 6cm on the 13th.

This weekend is looking a bit more interesting, with periods of snow forecast to drop 5-7cm, and temps also to drop from close to freezing tomorrow to -10c.  Nothing brutal by Calgarian standards, but certainly something.

Sun returns next week and temps pick up towards freezing again.  Days are lengthening, Spring will come soon and who knows what THAT will bring here!

Peter 

July 2011 - June 2012 Stats
Elevation: 1084m
Latitude: 51° 6' N
Warmest Temperature: 30.4c 29/08/11
Coldest Temperature: -32.4c 18/01/12
Days with thunderstorms: 4
Days with rain falling: 20
Days with snow falling: 27
Days with snow lying: 79
Maximum snow depth: 6" (15cm)
Current snow depth 0-1" (patchy)

Yes, a colder few days for you Peter with some snow today and then a forecast high of -11c tomorrow. Nothing earth-shattering but in a winter of little substance notable nonetheless.

Talking of which, the Southern Ontario snow event awry from the perspective of the Golden Horseshoe and EC were left looking foolish again with the snowfall warning for Toronto (15cm) ending up a bust. The storm deepened at the last minute and took the snow further north, meaning warmer air and rain for T.O. The last two winters have been tough for EC, with a couple of poor forecasts with regard to winter storms for the Golden Horseshoe that never materialised. Of course the media and public have jumped all over them for it....no different from over here!

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1136543--whoops-a-big-fail-for-environment-canada

Its just not been your year for snow, Stewart, but hey, spring training is in full swing now!

Have a good weekend.

On the other hand, it has been super snowy in Alaska, almost record breaking, but not quite.

Here's the snow in Valdez, Alaska, I forget how much exactly, around 80 inches? 

Impressive photo

Impressive depth of snow too

Hello all, i agree very impressive pic above. Reminds me of Wasego, NY back a few years ago when sustained lake effect snow off Lake Ontario delivered earth shattering amounts of 110cm+, so heavy they brought in specialized equipment to help move it all off the roofs as strucural damage was likely!

I can only dream of events like that after this latest shocker, as Graeme posted the whole sorry tale i won't eleborate further as to the why and how wrong EC's forecast was although TWN were despite some attempts in this video at explaining their 'near' accuracy, had a nightmare also! - http://www.theweathernetwork.com/news/storm_watch_stories3&stormfile=Another_round_of_winter_Ontario_22_02_2012?ref=ccbox_news_topstories. Click on the how Toronto missed the snow video for more.

I was going to post the Toronto Star link Graeme as i think it sums it all up 100% perfectly. The media are having a field day over here with this, it wasn't just out for a forecast, for Hamilton it was 60-70km out / or over 90mins driving time away - that's a error that even a junior high grad wouldn't make......surely?

Definately in the top 3 of the very poor forecasts i've experienced in the last 6 years here in Ontario. One plus, no shoveling and tbh i can't wait for the summer now and the warmer weather, this winter needs to find it's resting place and hope it never wakens!

Signals for spring arrive (if you believe EC.....) for Wednesday of the coming week with a high of +13c, in rain though. Signals, hopefully there better signals than last weeks!

Have a great weekend all.

Hi folks, a very active week of weather across the Eastern 3rd of the U.S. maybe not from snow but from unusually early Tornadic developments. An EF4 Tornado destroyed 50% of a small Illonios town on Tuesday and the storm front claimed the lives of 12 people across many states from North to South. Today is round two of this Tornado threat and more significant threat from today's event.

The Storm Prediction Center issued a PDS (Particulary Dangerous Situation) very rare and only in events there is the real risk of life and property from long lasting Tornadoes and dangerous weather including golf/baseball sized hail and damaging winds above 100kph.

I just posted on the dedicated thread about the coverage that storm chasers and meto guys give to aid the vital information process in these events. Here's the link to Louisville, KT local WHAS station....http://www.whas11.com/live-stream incredible coverage and some reports of Tornadoes currently tracking long lived and multiple vortexes. Extremelly dangerous situation.

For us, a week of rain and snow flurries has ended with another storm front. It's actually associated with the Thunderstorms & Tornadic situation in the states bringing rain and some snow on the back edge. Also very windy in the Hamilton area this afternoon with gusts during and after the cold front of 70kph or higher.

Weekend temps between 2-5c and some flurry activity. Winter ended in meto terms on Wednesday with the same pattern that it started with. Incidentally, parts of SW Ontario could see some Thunderstorm activity later this afternoon from some of this warm air that will infiltrate from the south into Windsor/Sarnia area in particular.

Praying for the folk of IN, KT, TN and OH in particular this afternoon. Enjoy the weekend.

A lot going on, I am surprised, thanks for the update.