Toronto could get its biggest snowfall of the season Friday amid 'hazardous' Ontario storm
- Thread starter canada-man
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Does anybody remember 1998-9? That was the snowstorm of the 20th century.
"Toronto's Snowstorm of the Century
By the first day of winter in 1998 (December 21), Toronto had recorded only 4 cm of snow - the second lowest amount in 155 years of weather record-keeping in the city. But just 12 days later, a series of storms stalked the downtown core dumping nearly a year's amount of snow in less than two weeks. The worst storm hit on January 2, when much of southern Ontario - from Windsor to Kingston - was buried in snow between 20 and 40 cm, affecting more than five million people. In total, at least eleven people died and thousands of passengers at the Toronto airports were stranded on one of the busiest days of the year.
Four additional storms ensured the snowiest two-week period since 1846. In all, the downtown station recorded the greatest January snowfall total with 118.4 cm and the greatest snow on the ground at any one time, with 65 cm. Toronto's Mayor requested help from the military, and 400 troops descended on the city. Civilian reinforcements, including 100 veteran plowers from Prince Edward Island, helped haul away one million tonnes of snow from the downtown area. In total Toronto's snow-clearing cost $70 million, more than twice its budget for the entire year. Further, the city lost nearly $2 million in parking ticket revenue. While Torontonians struggled with snow as high as buses and slop as deep as boot tops, it seemed that the rest of Canada was enjoying the city's plight, chortling in national unison, "Hey Toronto, this is Canada. It's winter!""
"Toronto's Snowstorm of the Century
By the first day of winter in 1998 (December 21), Toronto had recorded only 4 cm of snow - the second lowest amount in 155 years of weather record-keeping in the city. But just 12 days later, a series of storms stalked the downtown core dumping nearly a year's amount of snow in less than two weeks. The worst storm hit on January 2, when much of southern Ontario - from Windsor to Kingston - was buried in snow between 20 and 40 cm, affecting more than five million people. In total, at least eleven people died and thousands of passengers at the Toronto airports were stranded on one of the busiest days of the year.
Four additional storms ensured the snowiest two-week period since 1846. In all, the downtown station recorded the greatest January snowfall total with 118.4 cm and the greatest snow on the ground at any one time, with 65 cm. Toronto's Mayor requested help from the military, and 400 troops descended on the city. Civilian reinforcements, including 100 veteran plowers from Prince Edward Island, helped haul away one million tonnes of snow from the downtown area. In total Toronto's snow-clearing cost $70 million, more than twice its budget for the entire year. Further, the city lost nearly $2 million in parking ticket revenue. While Torontonians struggled with snow as high as buses and slop as deep as boot tops, it seemed that the rest of Canada was enjoying the city's plight, chortling in national unison, "Hey Toronto, this is Canada. It's winter!""
I was on work assignment in Brisbane Australia from 1999-2003.
More senior guys from my Canadian Co would swing through on short stays for client meetings.
Remember this was long before Zoom.
The Ozzies used to laugh when two Canadians would do social small talk, and chat about the weather.
We had to explain there were times our weather materially affected what you did on a day, or for more than a few days.
That was a pretty strange idea to them as the weather there is nice almost all year long.
Then you would explain what freezing rain was and a look of horror would come over them.
More senior guys from my Canadian Co would swing through on short stays for client meetings.
Remember this was long before Zoom.
The Ozzies used to laugh when two Canadians would do social small talk, and chat about the weather.
We had to explain there were times our weather materially affected what you did on a day, or for more than a few days.
That was a pretty strange idea to them as the weather there is nice almost all year long.
Then you would explain what freezing rain was and a look of horror would come over them.
I was out in it a bit earlier, and there was thundersnow (and lightning). Very cool.
That pic of me still around after all these years.
The snow we get in Toronto pales in comparison to Montreal. I know there are some expatriate Montrealers on the Board. They know what I mean.
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So that is true what my neighbour told me about lighting. This affected the elevator in our section of the building, we called the elevator service guy, before he arrived we had to go on the roof at 10pm and shovel the snow for him to walk to the service room and flick a switch. Let me tell you thank goodness the wind wasn't as strong as I thougth.
Yes indeed, very cool and doesn't happen very often up here. I saw and heard lots of it last night too. Got several videos of it.
Glad to see they plan to actually remove the snow and not just push it to the curb.
City of Toronto prepares for snow removal operations by declaring a major snowstorm condition – City of Toronto
City of Toronto prepares for snow removal operations by declaring a major snowstorm condition – City of Toronto
Why? And how much, Karen?
,
Despite absolutely incomprehensible data, supercomputers crunching a myriad of weather models giving remarkably accurate weather forecasting, there is always some inaccuracy.
Better to forewarn about potential lethal or even just hazardous weather so people can take prudent precautions. The weather in Toronto was truly treacherous last night and at least people had the information to know to not go out for discretionary reasons.
"
I can just imagine if "They" didn't warn the public about some severe weather risk, and it happened. Then, you'd be whining to "speak to the Manager"!
I don't whine, I'm jn construction business where we need accurate weather information. The forecasts for Toronto predicting more severe events have been dismal, this winter. The severity have been overstated, timing missed many times and the longer than couple days forecasts not good at all. We have had, on at least two occasions, a couple of sites shot down due to weather predictions that happened to be wrong and that costs real money. It would have been worse, had it not been for the trusty Bradford radar. They need to tone it down a bit. A few centimeters of snow in the above 0° environment is hardly a blizzard.Why? And how much, Karen?
,
Despite absolutely incomprehensible data, supercomputers crunching a myriad of weather models giving remarkably accurate weather forecasting, there is always some inaccuracy.
Better to forewarn about potential lethal or even just hazardous weather so people can take prudent precautions. The weather in Toronto was truly treacherous last night and at least people had the information to know to not go out for discretionary reasons.
"
I can just imagine if "They" didn't warn the public about some severe weather risk, and it happened. Then, you'd be whining to "speak to the Manager"!
Not as deep as predicted at my place . S/w end of Sauga
But all wisely stayed in off the roads last night in my hood. Just the bus went past where we live.
But, shit, it was 6+ inches of heavy as hell snow by this am.
Had to cut, lift, and carry and then toss every shovel full.
Not a snowfall that a pusher blade shovel did any good.
Cleared the double driveway, 60' of frontage sidewalk, then 140' of walkways in the side of the garage and the backyard out to the shed and adjacent hot tub.
Took a break half way to rehydrate and change the soaked t shirt. and to let my heart rate slow down some
Then round up broken evergreen limbs from stuck on snow snapping them off.
But all wisely stayed in off the roads last night in my hood. Just the bus went past where we live.
But, shit, it was 6+ inches of heavy as hell snow by this am.
Had to cut, lift, and carry and then toss every shovel full.
Not a snowfall that a pusher blade shovel did any good.
Cleared the double driveway, 60' of frontage sidewalk, then 140' of walkways in the side of the garage and the backyard out to the shed and adjacent hot tub.
Took a break half way to rehydrate and change the soaked t shirt. and to let my heart rate slow down some
Then round up broken evergreen limbs from stuck on snow snapping them off.
_
Good that I did 2 shovel sessions Friday evening @ 8 and 10 pm . Then 1 sessions Saturday @ 9 am . I was a workout.
