Looking out over the river valley yesterday the city certainly appears frozen. Virtually no traffic on the roads nor bridges and it's no wonder. It was -29 but with the windchill it was -42 Celsius.
I really think the term "polar vortex" is not all that new, in fact research on the web would suggest it was known and used in meteorology for several decades. This year, though; the media seem to have picked up on it and use the term freely to define the uncharacteristic cold snap we are experiencing this time of year. Regular highs for the end of February/beginning of March are -2 to +2 Celsius while regular lows are -8 to -13 Celsius. (http://www.world-guides.com/north-america/canada/alberta/edmonton/edmonton_weather.html)
|
Maximum
|
Minimum
|
January
|
-7°C / 19°F
|
-17°C / 1°F
|
February
|
-2°C / 28°F
|
-13°C / 9°F
|
March
|
2°C / 36°F
|
-8°C / 18°F
|
The lowest overall temperature ever recorded in Edmonton was −49.4 °C (−56.9 °F), on January 19 and 21,1886.
Saskatchewan is forecasted to be much colder than our province this week, with lows averaging -60 Celsius with the windchill. I don't think I'd go outdoors for anything with temperatures that cold!
Next week, however; we expect the temperatures to normalize again, getting near 0 and slightly above. I can't wait and I'm sure most residents here agree. I'm so grateful this will be short-lived. January is supposed to be our coldest month! Looks like March came in like a lion so here's hoping the counterpart, a lamb, shows up at month's end.
Hope you're keeping warm. What is your favourite activity to do when it's too cold to be outdoors? I've been snuggling under a blanket, sometimes with the fireplace on, and reading a book or watching Midsomer Murders on Netflix with a hot tea at hand.
