The superstorm that swept across much of North America has departed the Okanagan Valley and there’s lots of melting left behind it.
After days of overcast, snow, high winds, chill factors and freezing temperatures, it has been nice to see a bit of sun and calm, warmer weather. It was raining today but well above freezing, so I’ll take that any time. You never have to shovel rain out your driveway!
Happy Wednesday.
We have been looking after a friend’s dog over the break, and the weather has finally been nice enough (no wind gusts to 70 km or frostbite warnings) to take her to the dog beach.
Our temperatures here in Penticton are now well above 0°C (32F) and the snow we received is sloppy and in many spots, completely gone. As a northern girl, she found a snow patch and a stick and was a happy pooch.
Meanwhile, the humans had a nice view down the lake, including a bit of sun.
Happy Tuesday.
Here in Canada it’s Boxing Day. It has nothing to do with boxing gloves or rings but rather with an old tradition that came down to us from the U.K. and through our Commonwealth ties to that country.
On Boxing Day, you are supposed to box up the leftovers from your Christmas meal along with presents you don’t want or other items you no longer require and give them to those who are struggling. As a small child, I remember vestiges of this old tradition when my parents made sure there was a box of goodies to give away to a family we knew. Another aspect of the day was to provide time to a charity.
The charitable origins of Boxing Day now seem to be completely lost in an overload of after-Christmas sales that are akin to a shopping orgy, mostly for things many of us probably don’t need.
Too bad. A little selfless charity is a good thing, and especially in this tight economy. I won’t be spending any money today, but maybe some time.
Happy Boxing Day.
The vines are sleeping, and a good thing, too, because it has been unusually cold here …
… so I’m looking forward to their rebirth, no question!
But before that happens, I want to take this opportunity to extend Season’s Greetings to everyone. Have a lovely couple of days. 🎄
The sun goes down behind a hill …
… before being obscured by a winter storm cloud.
We got to enjoy the sunset anyway, despite the cloud.
Happy Friday.
Yesterday we took a short drive from Penticton to Westbank (just outside Kelowna) to do an errand. On the way, we saw that Lake Okanagan was displaying some rather interesting weather effects.
There had been sun, but a huge dark cloud swept in to accentuate the very unsettled lake.
The weather in the Okanagan Valley has been unusually and unexpectedly cold and snowy, the result of a widespread Arctic front that has affected much of North America.
Although it’s nothing like what I experience in the Northwest Territories where I work, it’s still difficult when many people aren’t used to this level of cold. The infrastructure to deal with it isn’t available. Plows and sanding trucks are in short supply, people aren’t used to driving on ice and snow and they’re likely lacking the proper clothing and footwear to stay warm. Their vehicles may not be the best for dealing with the conditions. It’s a shock, to say the least.
This cold spell is supposed to be very short-lived with temperatures predicted to rise above 0°C by Sunday or Monday. I hope so!
A lone autumn leaf still clings to its branch despite the snow and wind.
Happy Wednesday.
… there’s lots of stuff inside that’s delightful!
Whatever makes you feel cosy and comforted, now is the time to indulge! Here’s Michael Bublé singing that famous song: https://youtu.be/Mk6ZzzWWJ1A
Happy Tuesday.
The cold front sweeping south from the Arctic caught up with us last night while we overnighted in Kamloops. We had managed to get ahead of it but I guess this front was going to have its way, regardless.
Two hours outside of Penticton, we were still dealing with snow and blowing snow, but at least it was a good 10°C warmer than our departure point was at -22C (-8F) and most of the snow was falling at the higher elevations.
We decided not to take the Okanagan Connector (Coquihalla; aka Highway from Hell) as it’s at an elevation of 1717 metres (5633 ft) and was predicted to get a heavy snowfall and high winds. We took the long way around; the visibility was okay.
We’re also supposed to get a storm from the Pacific as well; yay. A nice stormy squeeze! The good news is that it’s all supposed to be over and cleared up in the next couple of days.
It was nice to get home and get out of the weather! Happy Monday.
Here are a few favourites from some of my stored photos.
I will be travelling west for the next couple of days. Happy Friday.
In the Net! - Pictures and Stories of Life 