Snow Squall Warnings - too little too soon?

Snow Squall Warning for: Port Carling - Port Severn

ISSUED BY ENVIRONMENT CANADA AT 3:39 PM EST WEDNESDAY 27 JANUARY 2010

Snow squalls expected to continue through the night. A cold westerly flow continues to generate snow squalls to the east of Georgian Bay. Weather radar indicates the strongest band extending from about Killbear Provincial Park through Parry Sound and eastward toward the Huntsville area. Near zero visibilities in heavy snow and blowing snow will be associated, along with rapid snowfall accumulation. Local snowfall rates in excess of 15 centimetres per 12 hours are possible. The squalls are expected to shift out of most regions Thursday morning as winds shift to northwesterly, however they may persist in the Port Carling and Port Severn area until tomorrow evening.

Who knew? We had 15 cm. overnight. The cats are quite upset. Last week's thaw had them fooled.

Then, after the sun came out, lulling us into a false sense of security. The wind did not diminish, and the snow in the trees, nestled on the bows of the evergreens, was flying throughout the forests.

Then, a new message, this time in green:

Snow Squall Warning for:
Port Carling - Port Severn
ISSUED BY ENVIRONMENT CANADA AT 10:39 AM EST THURSDAY 28 JANUARY 2010

Snow Squall Warning ended for Port Carling - Port Severn

Ya think? Nope... and I have the photos and video to prove it. My meeting tonight cancelled, I am grateful to play in the snow and stay off of the roads.

What a spectacular day for a retiree! The sun broke through in the morning, but the clouds built up again. Very little sky to see, though.

Muskoka Snow Report

Dear gentle readers,

I have been faithfully trying to find out our total snowfall. It *is* impressive. I have failed. My weather-hubby (a transportation expert, retired, with a fascination for weather) cannot find the data, either. Considering he is my 2nd-accountant husband, and me, a woman with an M.Ed., both of us appreciate the importance of data. Good, cold, hard facts. But they are few and far between.

The Weather Office-Muskoka page provide some data, but it is incomplete!

All I know is yesterday I walked down to the lake (sans snowshoes - duH) and the snow was knee-deep. I reversed the proposal and returned to the deck. Last night we had an additional 35 cm, today we expect another 30 cm (100 cm = 1 m =  1 yd.!). The snow squalls continue. The cats are PO'd, and we are content to build a fire and look out at the whiteness.

The trees hang heavily burdened with the snowfall. It still gives me the creeps, as I recall Ice Storm '98 when whole trees fell and crashed with the weight of the ice in south eastern Ontario where I lived in Osgoode. We were 10 days without power!

In the meantime, the roads are horrible. The blowing snow dangerous. Everything is shut down. Moose FM has been told by the OPP:

"Highway 11 south of Gravenhurst is completely shut down.  Highway 11 north of Gravenhurst has not been properly plowed and has not been sanded.  A snow emergency has been declared in Huntsville and Mayor Claude Doughty is telling residents of Huntsville to completely stay off the roads."

Much has been cancelled. Which is the only smart thing to do! I venture out to clear the deck, shovel the snow and feed the birds and squirrels, who still seem to expect breakfast! Can they not spell HIBERNATE??? The raccoons have, bless them. My bird seed storage cans are now safe!

In contrast...a fall photo of the same outdoor recreation building and the sumac!

Lake effect snow