Blizzard on Prince Edward Island
Posted on 01. Jan, 2009 by Laura-Jane - Whimfield in Outdoors
Imagine my surprise when I looked out the window this morning. Blustering, whipping snow and huge snow drifts. I thought, “Oh, blizzard!”
I then checked the weather online and saw the weather forecast: “Blizzard.”
I didn’t realize that blizzard was a technical term. I thought it was just something you said!
Andy Collier
Jan 1st, 2009
hehe, welcome to the east coast!
Louise
Jan 1st, 2009
Happy New Year! Your weather is being talked about all over the news stations here. Even usurps our snow that is piling up once again.
Batten down the hatches as I heard that you are also getting wind.
Kim
Jan 1st, 2009
This is my first ‘official’ blizzard and wow, I’m impressed.
NOT!
It’s kinda scary, actually, but at least we’re snug and warm inside. I just hate the thought that if there were an emergency of any kind…
Strangely enough, while there are four-foot snowdrifts in some places, the area around our car is perfectly clear – wouldn’t even have to sweep any snow off.
Hot chocolate, anyone?
Tipper
Jan 1st, 2009
Stay warm and cozy :)
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
Jan 1st, 2009
@Andy – Indeed! I read your recent post at your blog about new year’s resolutions. New year’s is a good time to reflect on where we’ve been and what we’ve been doing. Sounds like you’ve got some goals worth achieving.
@Louise – We made it all the way to the west coast?! Oh no, this can’t be good. :) Luckily, we don’t have to go anywhere today or tomorrow.
@Kim – I know, I shudder to think about that. Blizzards are fun to watch when you don’t have to go anywhere, but people are always on the move and sometimes it can’t be avoided. Hot chocolate, yes please!
@Tipper – We’re doing our best. Actually, it’s HOT in here today. I accidentally left the catalytic converter on our woodstove open for an hour today, which just means that I let the stove burn on MAXIMUM for too long and we are sweating in here. Nice to know we can be hot in a blizzard, though!
John Quimby
Jan 2nd, 2009
I just heard from a friend in Murray Harbour North, PEI -
40 CM of snow. That’s a lot, right?
Wow, this So Cal native is wondering how adaptable I really am. Guess we’ll find out when we re-locate to our island home.
It’s making me think I ought to put a sleigh on my wish list!
Meantime, it was clear blue sky and about 18 degrees here today.
Best wishes and Happy New Year!
LJ
Jan 2nd, 2009
Now who’s laughin’!?
Steven Fisher
Jan 2nd, 2009
We had an official blizzard last week outside Vancouver. The last time I remember snow accumulation like this, I was less than ten years old… and so my memory is probably wrong.
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
Jan 2nd, 2009
@LJ – I was always commiserating with you west coasters re: BC blizzard 2008! :)
@Steven – Isn’t it crazy? Aah, and don’t you love ten year olds memories? All I remember from being ten is having a perm. And wearing a blue shirt all the time. And running track and field. That sums up being ten for me.
warren
Jan 2nd, 2009
There are a few other words that would come to mind if I saw such a sight…I leave them to your imagination.
Still, it is things like the storm that make you really appreciate and value the work you did on your house. We get high winds here a lot and we did a lot of work to make our house less musical…no more whistles and creaks from the place! I appreciate the (almost) silence!
Ryan
Jan 2nd, 2009
For those curious (and Whimfield historically seem the curious type), the conditions required for an “Official Blizzard” differ by region, but per Environment Canada Atlantic, “Blizzard Warning (Maritimes and Newfoundland)
A blizzard warning is issued for the Maritimes and Newfoundland when all of the following conditions are met: winds greater than 40 km/h (21 knots); visibility less than one kilometre in snow, snow grains or blowing snow conditions; and temperatures less than or equal to -3°C. All of the above must persist for at least 4 hours.”
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
Jan 2nd, 2009
@Warren – Touche. There was a bit of that going on too, of course. :) Yes, we definitely appreciate the work that we’ve done, as you do. It’s sure satisfying to look outside on a blizzard through a window while wearing shorts and a t-shirt!
@Ryan – I am a curious type! Snow grains sound painful..! Visibility was very bad. I believe some of the snow plows were even taken of the road for this reason. A blizzard it was!
Natalie
Jan 2nd, 2009
I was thinking about you when I saw the weather forecast yesterday!!! I was a tad jealous, as we haven’t had a blizzard yet this winter. IT’s fine if you’re safe and snug at home.
Happy new year, and hope you dig out soon.
Natalie
Naomi
Jan 2nd, 2009
Sounds very cozy :)
Gary Gray
Jan 3rd, 2009
That was a nice snow we had. I enjoyed a quiet day at home.
The best snowstorm of my time on the Island was this one.
“1982: P.E.I. blanketed
With 100 km/h winds and snowfalls of up to 60 cm, this February storm brought Prince Edward Island to a standstill for a week. The island was cut off from the mainland, and trains were buried in snowdrifts up to seven meters high. ”
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/forcesofnature/worst-storms.html
CBC Archives: Wintery blasts of the past.
I was on the Emergency Measures team getting meds, food and other supplies to snow bound islanders by snowmobiles. It took over two weeks to get everybody dug out.
I know it is had to believe but we did have trains way back then in the them times. LOL
Smiles :o)
Gary
Vicki
Jan 3rd, 2009
Happy New Years Cam & Laura-Jane!!! Here on Vancouver Island we certainly got a taste of PEI weather. We almost broke the Dec. snowfall record which was set 50 years ago. So we have beat the 1996 snow storm & that of 2008. At first it was fun but now town employees take their lives in their hands walking around the town!!! Hence, I am heading to Nanaimo today!! ha ha
Phil
Jan 4th, 2009
You know, just after you two leave the West Coast, we’ve been getting these each of the past two Decembers! Nearly shut down Seattle for a few days (pretty much did shut down Bellingham, WA). But I just looked up and noticed a few others have mentioned the same thing, so you already knew that.
Last year, we missed about two weeks of school. Just thought you should know about the good times you’ve missed out on (though PEI looks a bit less violent with its winter storms). Enjoy!
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
Jan 4th, 2009
@Natalie – Yes, snug and safe is good… :)
@Naomi – Just as cozy as you’ve been these past few weeks, huh?
@Vicki – I shudder to think of the town’s snow budgets!
@Phil – That’s interesting to read that it’s been similar south of the border, as well. We don’t have a TV and I don’t read the news…ever (I know, I’m a bad person), so I have no idea what’s going on in the rest of the world. The good thing is that Cameron is basically on the ball and he reports world news to me–much to my chagrin. Um, that’s funny that I wrote that he’s “basically” on the ball. What does that mean exactly? I