VANCOUVER - The city of Vancouver slowed to a standstill over the weekend as a mysterious white rain fell on the city, forming a coating to almost 5 mm. Drivers caught in the fury of Mother Nature as the rain suddenly switched over to this mysterious precipitation were clearly panicked. The RCMP reported over 700 traffic accidents from 6 to 10 AM this morning, and Translink has halted all transit service until road conditions improve.
One driver told Global News that this weather is unprecedented. Senior meteorologist Mark Madryga agrees: "This has certainly never fallen in Vancouver before, and we're in the process of determining what it is. We tried calling colleagues from other parts of Canada, and they were all convinced it was snow, but Vancouver doesn't get snow, so that definitely can't be it!"
EXTREME COLD GRIPS CITY
Immediately after the mystery precipitation storm, temperatures at Vancouver International Airport dropped to the most dangerous levels seen in 42 years, recording a low of just 1.4 C. In other parts of the city, there were numerous reports of malfunctioning thermometers, as temperatures seemed to dip below freezing, the absolute minimum for most household thermometers sold in Vancouver.
Residents in Burnaby, Coquitlam, and Surrey flooded the Global News Room with panicked reports of their double doubles freezing once they left the relative comfort of their local Tim Hortons.
Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson has declared a state of emergency, and emergency shelters in the Downtown East Side were overwhelmed. However, relief is in sight. Environment Canada predicts temperatures will rise to 8 C by the middle of next week.
(C) Global BC (TM)
Showing posts with label inclement weather. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inclement weather. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Only in Canada
Hurricanes, as you should know, are powerful storms. They receive names. What you might not know is that when a hurricane is particularly destructive, the government of the affected nation will request for it to be retired, and that name will never again be used for a hurricane.
In 2003, Hurricane Juan struck Halifax square on as a Category 2 storm, bringing wind gusts to over 200 km/h, losses over $200 million, and 8 deaths. As it was the most destructive hurricane to affect Canada (and still is), Environment Canada, for the first time ever, requested that the name be retired.
Environment Canada's made the request for three reasons: "the lost and damaged lives, the impact to economy, and the widespread destruction of trees through out two provinces."
Really? Trees being uprooted was a factor in the decision? Pretty much our whole country is trees!
Only in Canada.
In 2003, Hurricane Juan struck Halifax square on as a Category 2 storm, bringing wind gusts to over 200 km/h, losses over $200 million, and 8 deaths. As it was the most destructive hurricane to affect Canada (and still is), Environment Canada, for the first time ever, requested that the name be retired.
Environment Canada's made the request for three reasons: "the lost and damaged lives, the impact to economy, and the widespread destruction of trees through out two provinces."
Really? Trees being uprooted was a factor in the decision? Pretty much our whole country is trees!
Only in Canada.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
The sky is falling!
What Chicken Little so famously uttered was almost reality this week.
The lack of a landfalling typhoon does not mean the lack of inclement weather affecting Hong Kong. Really, this past week has been extraordinary. The black rainstorm signal was issued again today. That makes for twice in a week. And "black rain" is supposed to be less common than typhoon signal 8 (equivalent to a tropical storm warning). Also, there were a total of 5 reported waterspouts over this same week. So all in all, some pretty crazy stuff from the skies.
Anyways, it's the middle of the second week of work now, and it's definitely less "nice and fresh" than at the beginning. Still, I guess it's better than just sitting at home and rotting every day...now that I am no longer a child. Although there are still many many things that make a part of me wish for another shot at childhood. Oh well...there's no take 2 in life. Hah, if only I'd managed to tell myself that before. I need poetic release.
Hell, If Only I'd Managed to Think of That Earlier
Such is life. Sometimes you only see things
after the fact. With the benefit of .thgisdnih
Or maybe I was just nearsighted. Maybe I just lacked
Life goes on
But only for a certain amou//_____ it can be cut short, at any time
nt of time. ____________________ we never know.
If only I could have thought.
If only I could have known.
If only I could have seen.
If only I could have done things right the first time.
Upon reflection, I wish to revisit.
And still life goes on.
You can try tofxi ifx fix it,
But still life goes on; it won't wait,
Because fixing won't erase anything,
It will just scratch out the past,
And the rebuilding will take up more time.
It remains possible --
sometime in the future --
It remains possible.
I hope.
Let the skies fall! Let the earth gape!
Still I hope.
I dare to.
I hope.
The lack of a landfalling typhoon does not mean the lack of inclement weather affecting Hong Kong. Really, this past week has been extraordinary. The black rainstorm signal was issued again today. That makes for twice in a week. And "black rain" is supposed to be less common than typhoon signal 8 (equivalent to a tropical storm warning). Also, there were a total of 5 reported waterspouts over this same week. So all in all, some pretty crazy stuff from the skies.
Anyways, it's the middle of the second week of work now, and it's definitely less "nice and fresh" than at the beginning. Still, I guess it's better than just sitting at home and rotting every day...now that I am no longer a child. Although there are still many many things that make a part of me wish for another shot at childhood. Oh well...there's no take 2 in life. Hah, if only I'd managed to tell myself that before. I need poetic release.
Hell, If Only I'd Managed to Think of That Earlier
Such is life. Sometimes you only see things
after the fact. With the benefit of .thgisdnih
Or maybe I was just nearsighted. Maybe I just lacked
foresight.
Whatever happened, it was too -- l...a...t...e...
Life goes on
But only for a certain amou//_____ it can be cut short, at any time
nt of time. ____________________ we never know.
If only I could have thought.
If only I could have known.
If only I could have seen.
If only I could have done things right the first time.
Upon reflection, I wish to revisit.
And still life goes on.
You can try to
But still life goes on; it won't wait,
Because fixing won't erase anything,
It will just scratch out the past,
And the rebuilding will take up more time.
It remains possible --
sometime in the future --
It remains possible.
I hope.
Let the skies fall! Let the earth gape!
Still I hope.
I dare to.
I hope.
Friday, July 23, 2010
A recap of the week
I sat in the office for 4 days...on Wednesday I went up to visit the company factory at Dongguan. That was quite the trip. I could never have imagined the amount of heavy machinery and modern technology that goes into a board game. Never again will I take for granted what appears to be a simple board game. Oh, by the way, a shout out to all you Monopoly owners out there...chances are that board came out of our factory. And have no fear, for this is the cleanest factory in China. It may not be largest, but size isn't everything.
Also, this week was rather eventful for weather. No, Typhoon Chanthu did not manage to come even remotely close to a direct hit, but it did generate the first black rainstorm warning of the year. Hong Kong's rainstorm warning signals range from amber to red to black. Amber means 30 mm/hr has fallen or is expected to fall. Red is 50, and black is 70. Yes, 70 mm/hr. Once you've been in the tropics, you really can't complain about the rain in Vancouver. It's almost pathetic what passes as a rainfall warning back there. I believe the criteria is 40 mm/DAY. It's also embarassing what passes for a snowfall warning in Vancouver, but I won't get into that today.
Right, so I got vaccinated today. On both arms. It was necessary since I'm going to Guizhou soon for a short volunteering trip. So it's all good. I'm vaccinated, the stuff is generally all set to go, and the mood is positive. Except my arms are slightly sore, and I'm golfing tomorrow. Whoops. We'll see how it ends up.
Well, that's about it for this week...you can't really say THAT much about sitting in an office. Even though it consumes the better part of the day, nothing of true excitement happens but for once a blue moon. If something even distantly resembling action happens at work, be sure that it will wind its way onto this blog. For now, the pillows and sheets beckon. A good evening to you all.
Also, this week was rather eventful for weather. No, Typhoon Chanthu did not manage to come even remotely close to a direct hit, but it did generate the first black rainstorm warning of the year. Hong Kong's rainstorm warning signals range from amber to red to black. Amber means 30 mm/hr has fallen or is expected to fall. Red is 50, and black is 70. Yes, 70 mm/hr. Once you've been in the tropics, you really can't complain about the rain in Vancouver. It's almost pathetic what passes as a rainfall warning back there. I believe the criteria is 40 mm/DAY. It's also embarassing what passes for a snowfall warning in Vancouver, but I won't get into that today.
Right, so I got vaccinated today. On both arms. It was necessary since I'm going to Guizhou soon for a short volunteering trip. So it's all good. I'm vaccinated, the stuff is generally all set to go, and the mood is positive. Except my arms are slightly sore, and I'm golfing tomorrow. Whoops. We'll see how it ends up.
Well, that's about it for this week...you can't really say THAT much about sitting in an office. Even though it consumes the better part of the day, nothing of true excitement happens but for once a blue moon. If something even distantly resembling action happens at work, be sure that it will wind its way onto this blog. For now, the pillows and sheets beckon. A good evening to you all.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Once again all passengers...
Welcome to Hong Kong.
Ah, yes, the great hub of Asia, where East first met West. And the first thing I notice stepping out of the airport building is, alas, the suffocating heat. It was 9 at night, and the temperature was 31 C with a heat index of 42. Joy.
Thank heavens for air conditioners.
Of course, speaking of tropical weather, once has to mention cyclones. The Asian Pacific, after being dormant for most of the season, manages to eke out a storm in the South China Sea to welcome me to Hong Kong. Currently there is still a distinct possibility of a landfall in Hong Kong...should that be the case, this blog will be on storm watch mode. =D
But alas, it is currently midnight, and I will be sleeping shortly. Good night.
Ah, yes, the great hub of Asia, where East first met West. And the first thing I notice stepping out of the airport building is, alas, the suffocating heat. It was 9 at night, and the temperature was 31 C with a heat index of 42. Joy.
Thank heavens for air conditioners.
Of course, speaking of tropical weather, once has to mention cyclones. The Asian Pacific, after being dormant for most of the season, manages to eke out a storm in the South China Sea to welcome me to Hong Kong. Currently there is still a distinct possibility of a landfall in Hong Kong...should that be the case, this blog will be on storm watch mode. =D
But alas, it is currently midnight, and I will be sleeping shortly. Good night.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)