Do you still agree with Al Gore's global warming hysteria?:Cold set to snap city record
2006-11-28
Canada says such low temperatures unusual for this time of year
By TARINA WHITE, CALGARY SUN
The arctic deep freeze trapping Calgary is on track to break a 110-year-old weather record today, but the bitter cold is expected to ease in the coming days.
With a forecast low of -31C today, Calgary could break the -27C record set on this day in 1896.
But factoring in the wind chill, it will feel even colder to people who have to brave the elements, said Environment Canada meteorologist Ross Macdonald.
"I wouldn't break out the shorts and go sunbathing right now," he joked.
"Bundle up."
The recent frigid weather is a far cry from the city's average late-November temperatures.
Macdonald said the normal daytime high at this time of year is 0C, with a low of -11C.
"The last time it was really this cold in November was about 10 years ago," he said.
"We've hit rock bottom."
It's even been too frosty to ski, with Canada Olympic Park shutting the hill yesterday in the name of safety.
Spokesman Chris Dornan said, to his knowledge, it's the first year the weather has forced a November closure.
"It's normally in January or February," he said.
Meanwhile, blowing snow likely contributed to a crash near Sylvan Lake yesterday that claimed the life of a 42-year-old motorist.
And the icy snap has the Calgary Humane Society scrambling to respond to an avalanche of calls from residents concerned about distressed animals, said spokeswoman Cheryl Wallach.
"The Calgary Humane Society is calling on all Calgary pet owners to use common sense and not leave animals outside without adequate shelter," she said.
The frigid weather is expected to improve by Thursday, with a predicted high of -7C. |
