July has just started and so far this summer is a scorcher. Metorogically speaking, Summer didn't start until June 20 but the weather at the end of 'spring' was very summerlike. We recorded the first heatwave of 2012 with 3 consecutive days of 32c or higher on June 19-21, ending with a high of 34c in Toronto, 35c in Markham, ON and 33c in Hamilton. The heatwave brought with it humidex values of 42-45, it was hot.....very hot!possibly too hot for some! That heatwave broke with a line of Thunderstorms that brought significant rain to areas NE of Toronto between Barrie & Oshawa and many Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were also issued on that Thursday afternoon.
This is a snapshot of the two weeks that my family visited, couldn't have asked for better weather - very akin to my first visit here to Ontario in 2005. Since they left 9 days ago, the weather has stayed very similar with warm to very warm days and very if little rain. There seems to be a pattern just now where TWN and localcasts call for showers or T-Storms and cooler weather 3-5 days out and by the time that time arrives the temps are higher and the rain gone or diminished.
So, as last weekend came, Southern Ontario joined most of C & E United States in a plume of very warm and in some spots hot air. As has been covered excellently on here, temps well into the 100f range and appressive humidex of 115-120f region. Throw in a sequence of severe Thunderstorms on Friday and Friday night across a wide area from IN to the Atlantic Seaboard and you have a very nasty mix. Today, there are still over 1m people without power in the worst affected areas in Maryland and around the District of Columbia.
Today it's 30c in Toronto, 29c in Hamilton and going to stay that way for most of this week with the chance as previously mentioned of a Thunderstorm or two on Tuesday & Thursday. Summer 2012 one to remember so far.
As for the Jays, we visited the team shop Graeme when the family were here and i've got a pic of Roy Halliday's jersey that they have carefully framed in a cabinet with an in-depth explaination of his role within the Blue Jays. I'll need to post it on here if i get the chance. Also took the stadium tour and not sure if you knew of the story around his 'box' in Tier 3 where he let it out to sick kids from local hospicies/hospitals while he was in Toronto, a tradition the ball club has kept since he departed in another part of the Skydome. He really seems to be a class guy who made a massive impression on the workers not just the fans of the Blue Jays.
Still, inconsistant though on the field having lost 10-6 to the Angels the other night, 40-39 record. The pitcher injury stuff you couldn't make it up. Local press were celebrating at one point an injury free game during the past 3 weeks, which also saw Brett Lawrie pick up a side strain going for a catch in one of the games. It was great as well with the time off to watch most of their games on tele and go to one also, something that work takes away from you from time to time.
For me, i got a promotion at work which is likely to further restrict my time on this forum unfortunately. I'll still check-in when i can but the days of posting on here day after days are probably over. More travelling also for me as my time will be split between our Toronto & Hamilton offices, either GO Transit and get a free ride if it's late by 15mins or sit in the 403/401 jam every day? Not made my mind up yet on that one!
Take Care