I’m new.
To Edmonton, that is. Moved here from Toronto about a year ago. And I like it here.
Since arriving, though, I’ve come across a few things that people say about the weather that, well, don’t seem quite true to me.
Here are a few of my favourites:
“It’s a dry cold.”
This is the most common response to any query about the cold winters. What does dry have to do with anything? When it gets cold here, it’s bloody cold.
Dry or damp, people acclimate to their weather. I found the dryness very harsh this past winter and on the few days when it was damp I actually missed the much maligned dampness of Ontario winters.
I’ll tell you one thing though, shoveling snow is a lot easier out here because of the dryness – that’s not a lie.
“The winters are bright.”
Usually, this phase is followed by “not like in Ontario.” And I was quite looking forward to a bright, cold winter. Yet, I distinctly recall weeks on end with gray skies and little in the way of sunshine. I even heard long-time Edmontonians complaining about the clouds.
Which leads me to the next lie.
“This weather isn’t normal.”
Whether it’s warmth in November, lots of snow in December, little snow from January through April, more precipitation in May than the previous four months combined (including snow in the last few days of the month) – virtually every Edmontonian I meet tries to tell me that this is not normal. It seems that whatever weather it is, it’s not normal.
I am beginning to think that the only thing normal about the weather in Edmonton is that it’s not normal – ever.
“Just wait for July.”
So, here we are – it’s now early July. When I got in my car to take the kids to bicycle camp today, it was raining and 10 degrees Celsius. (An hour earlier it would have been single digits – IN JULY.)
I know, I know. This weather isn’t normal.
All I want is a taste of summer that lasts more than 2 days.
Please.
Joan Lee
1 year ago
Hang in there, baby. In a couple of weeks you’ll be in T.O. where the humidex all this week is in the mid-40s.
linda groen
1 year ago
Joan is telling the absolute truth Jay. I love the sun but it is so hot that I rush to and from the BBQ. It is a bit like trying to breathe pea soup. Which isn’t easy.
However, given the choice, I would still take the heat. Of course, I do have central air and it works very well.
See you soon.
ox
Neil Grahn
1 year ago
Whenever I’ve said ‘it’s a dry cold’ I was joking.
If people are saying this to you and they are serious just back away slowly, talk in a firm yet non-threatening voice and hold eye contact only intermittently. Do not challenge them!
Sincerely,
Neil
Jay Palter
1 year ago
Thanks, Neil. I’ve been warned.
Well, summer is indeed finally here. (Sigh.)
Basically, we have July. Although, it was pointed out to me today that by the third week of July, the weather is already turning. Is this true? What have we gotten ourselves into?
Jay Palter
1 year ago
Wait, here’s another myth: If you don’t like the weather, just wait 10 minutes and it will change. I’ve been waiting for a day and a half – it’s still raining.
When I arrived, I was told the summer was short but hot. What I wasn’t told was that the summer came in 2 day stretches spread out between April and October, interspersed with cold, wet and cloudy weeks.
Man, this weather sucks.
Jay Palter
1 year ago
OK, what about turning the furnace on in mid-September? It’s not even the end of summer officially. I know – not normal. Usually, the furnaces go on here in the third week of September.