Well, that’s it. Winter’s officially set in here in Alberta. After an unusually warm November, the seasons seemed to realize that they were falling behind on the job and returned with a vengeance.
We had one heck of a dump of snow on Friday, so much so that it took me 2 hours to get home when it usually takes about 15 mins! The entire city seemed to shut down, with people unwilling to risk roads that had the consistency of oatmeal. And even a quick trip to the store to pick up printer ink turned into an epic winter adventure. Seriously. I could have used snowshoes, fifty feet of rope, and some belaying pins. It was crazy. And today, when the snow slacked off, temperatures decided to plummet to nearly -40.
And so, I ask myself the question I do every year at this time – why do I live here again?? Is close proximity to friends and family worth putting up with an environment that tries to kill me for six months of the year?? There’s cheap flights from Vancouver to visit my family, and they don’t get much snow….
Bard Says:
Being from BC (specifically the Lower Mainland…super-specifically the Tri-City Area) originally, its not a bad place to live, in terms of winters. However, when winters are fierce there, they’re *fierce*. Not as bad as Alberta, certainly.
Toronto’s just started to get cold again. We started getting some snow today. Not really dropping that much, though. I haven’t had to turn on the heat yet in my apartment (though I really don’t need to…my neighbors and the building all have theirs on, so I’m getting heat on five out of six sides).
Sam Says:
My commiserations from another loser of the genetic lottery, in regards to temperature tolerance.
I inherited the tall and bulky frame, as well as the fair hair and blue eyes of my Swedish ancestors… But if it drops below 15°C, I find it cold.
Dr-Online Says:
Growing up about a 30 minute drive from Bard at least, I figure so, I agree with him on the Lower Mainland winters being fierce on occasion. However, this was countered by the fact that the winters were the most depressing things I’ve ever experienced. At least here in winter it can be sunny and nice. Not back home, there you will suffer with your dismal grey skies and LIKE IT.
Bartimaeus Says:
Take my advice and stay away from Vancouver. The crime rate’s just too darn high these days.
Victoria’s not bad, if you don’t mind a terrible jobs market and high food prices…
LoneHowler Says:
We got a huge dump down in Calgary too. I am glad I own a suv so getting around was no trouble. I have to laugh at the little sports cars realy what were they thinking when they purchased the things they are to low to the ground and are prone to get stuck no mater what kind of tires you put on them you get high centered once and you are stuck but good.
Although a snowmobile sounded like a good idea at times
Tara.W! Says:
You should really come visit sis, we miss you! And furnace boy will be coming down soon too!
Kestralyn Says:
I’m totally confused… I thought you lived in Saskatchewan, not Alberta. Although if you live in the plains area, there’s not much difference between the two weather-wise during the winter!
tommykl Says:
Trust me I spent enough time living in equatorial Africa to appreciate two different seasons. The amount of daylight never really change sun was up from 630am and set by 7pm. Winter was a high of 85F and a low 72F, while the summer might cool down to 80F and hit a high somewhere north 0f 108F.
Purgatoriant Says:
Personally I prefer rolling in snow between sweating in sauna and sweating in sauna. Mostly because I don’t like swimming at all… And because I’m a scandinavian equivalent of a wimp when it comes to cold.
And -40 sounds almost exciting now that it’s almost christmas and even the puny amount of snow we have here is trying to melt away. 20 years more and perhaps I’ll be on the beach this time of the year in this very same location.
corrupt Says:
Ah New Brunswick where minus 15 in the winter is warm and anything above minus 10 is weather for shorts hehehe
Tulle Says:
I strongly suspect that those two cold-enduring genes has taken each other out, like when you give a dark flower two dark genes to make it even darker, and it becomes bright white.
Cassidy Says:
I am suffering with you through this Edmonton weather… I spent an hour yesterday in the cold waiting for my bus that never cam because there was an accident on Stony Plain Rd. and then the bus stalled.
Bard Says:
Dr-Online: Coquitlam-Port Moody-Port Coquitlam. So you probably have the right of it.
We’ve had snow here in Toronto now for the last two days. Its actually starting to stick now. …its also finally cold enough for me to switch on the heater. And wonder for the third year in a row why I didn’t invest in some kind of insulation on my windows…
Metzger12 Says:
-40…Is that celsius or fahrenheit?, If It’s Celsius I can understand your “wimpiness”, but otherwise….
LoneHowler Says:
Metzger12 -40 is not much off in both C or F maybe a degree or two. Anyways both agree it’s Damn Cold!
OldLadyWinchster Says:
try living in Whitehorse, -45 on a good day with a wind so cold you feel like your cheeks are being sandblasted off.
Lisa Marie Says:
heh i am from the east coast and i feel your pain.it is minus 15 here and the freaking windchill makes it like minus 30 right now..i can see the ocean from my living room so we get the wind right off the water..brrr! I fully admit to being a wimp about cold.