William Ashley Posted July 24, 2010 Report Posted July 24, 2010 (edited) When does snowfall usually start? Winter time. That usually thing doesn't really exist any more. when does it completely thaw out? Summer before the permafrost line. I've read about the Chinooks, do they keep the snow accumulation down? I'm sure they contribute to global warming a little but its only going to be 15 of them. How expensive is the cost of living in Calgary? Less than the cost of a Canadian chinook more than the cost of living outside alberta in the outer region of a major city that has dead industries within 100 miles of the US, not in BC or Toronto. I’m getting the impression that it’s alm[quost “New York Expensive”. Is that true? No. What is the average rent for a 1 bedroom? No idea. What would you consider to be the minimum salary to live “comfortably” in Calgary? $0, jail is an easy life once you get use to concrete. By that I mean able to pay the bills, afford rent, go out to dinner or to the bars, etc. and vacation every once in awhile. Are you asian? I’m a Product Designer and my average salary range for my experience level would normally be around 45-55K in the Midwest. I'm not sure how high I would want to ask for yet. By comparison, in 2007 I was talking to a Toronto company and they offered 55-60K. The Canadian dollar is sitting at around .95 of the US dollar. Toronto is expensive to buy a house, some things cost less some things cost more than the smaller communities - people commute. You could live comfortably on $55000 in Toronto provided you don't have a cocaine addicition. How bad are income and other taxes? Depends how good at tax evasion you are Basically the tax stuff works with credits etc.. so if for instance you marry a functionally disabled woman that is in university - you could save a bunch of money. But if you don't spend on work or other people then you pay a portion of it eg. maybe $4000-8000 but you can "defer" a bunch of that.. talk to an accountant. There are tax breaks, you just need to spend your tax dollars on things the government wants you to spend them on. What is the price of gas currently? Where? The most expensive place in ontario is pretty much the place my house is... it is 1.20 a litre (about $4.80 a gallon) (or probably 2 times the price of the US. Toronto was sitting at 1.03 - and a place just down the block from my parents was 98.6 (lowest I saw anywhere oddly enough..) multiply those prices by about 3.785 to get the prices eg. toronto was about $3.90 a gallon - after looking at US gas prices (long time since I've drove in the US - probably 20 to 30% more for gas. But governments such as ontario are giving multithousand dollar credits for buying electric vehicles (like 14000 credits) allowing recharging at government recharge sites, and allowing hov access. How expensive is car insurance? Depends who you are, what your car is, how long you have been driving etc.. a $1000/year would not be abnormal.It can go higher or lower. How are the road systems and public trans in Calgary? They exist. Is there an active music scene there? Sure. How is the culture and Arts in Calgary? They have neat hats. And of a much more trivial nature, what is the likelihood of me shortening my life expectancy by walking around with a Red Wings jersey? Without baseball, the NFL, or the NBA being a serious part of the sports culture I'll have to refocus all my energy on Hockey! What about rodeos? Edited July 24, 2010 by William Ashley Quote I was here.
Molly Posted July 25, 2010 Report Posted July 25, 2010 (edited) It's the same when talking to 'foreigners.' I can always understand Canadians, though I'm not sure if I've ever run into any Newfies, but I'll be damned if I can understand a lot of Brits and Aussies. I have no idea what they're saying. Give me an 'English as a second language' foreigner over them any day, because I'm much more likely to be able to understand them. From what I've heard tell, I have a feeling that Newfies would fall into that same category, though. If you ever heard Newfanese, you'd know. Check youtube, anything by Gazeebow Unit. Trikes and Bikes, maybe. Yissss. Edited July 25, 2010 by Molly Quote "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!" — L. Frank Baum "For Conservatives, ministerial responsibility seems to be a temporary and constantly shifting phenomenon," -- Goodale
JerrySeinfeld Posted July 25, 2010 Report Posted July 25, 2010 Don't let people from calgary fool you about the weather, it can be brutal, eespecially in the winter. It's not uncommon for Calgary to get a day or two of snow in May or June, and even sometimes in July. Usually Calgarians will say the winters are "mild". Don't believe it. I think they believe this to be the case because their perspective on the winter comes in the context of a comparison to the city 2.5 hours' drive to the North, Edmonton. But saying your winters are "mild" compared to Edmonton's isn't saying much at all. Calgary winters can suffer through extended periods (2-3 weeeks in a row) of days on end with weather with highs in the -15 (celsius) to -25C range, and with lows in the -25C to -35 range. These "cold snaps" may be only once or twice in the winter, but they can also last for weeks making it unbearably cold - and even life threatening if you get caught outside without a car. That said, Calgary does enjoy what are known as "Chinooks" - short interludes between cold snaps in which the city's temperature can rise dramatically, even to highs in the low to mid teens celsius for a day or two. But again, don't be fooled. There are two things you need to know about chinooks: first, they're usually very short. And secondd, they'rre not really that "warm". While +13C sounds fairly balmy in the dead of January, it's not in Calgary. That's because a chinook is essentially a "warm" wind that blows down off the rocky mountains (caused by some kind of physics related to the change in elevation of moisture laden air masses). But "warm" is a relative term - compared to, say -25C. So the thermometer might say "+12C", but anyone who's stood outside in Calgary filling up your gas tank in a gale force cold wind knows how fast you run back into your car to take shelter from the unpleasantness of the constant, relentless chinook wind (which, by the way, also helps melt snow REALLY fast - just like anyone who's ever done the science experiment of putting some pure alcohol on your hand then blowing on it can attest). The switch from bitterlyy cold to chinook conditions can make the "average" daily high temperature in Calgary look reasonable, but just be awaree, ALberta winters, whether you're in Calgary or in Edmonton, are long and ridiculously cold, with the odd interlude of thaw. Chicago may be "Thee Windy City", but Calgary is "The Windiest City". You'll live, though. About a million Calgarians do every year, and remain convinced of the illusion that they live in the best city in Canada. Maybee you'll drink the kool-aid too! Good luck! Quote
wyly Posted July 25, 2010 Report Posted July 25, 2010 Don't let people from calgary fool you about the weather, it can be brutal, eespecially in the winter. It's not uncommon for Calgary to get a day or two of snow in May or June, and even sometimes in July. Usually Calgarians will say the winters are "mild". Don't believe it. I think they believe this to be the case because their perspective on the winter comes in the context of a comparison to the city 2.5 hours' drive to the North, Edmonton. But saying your winters are "mild" compared to Edmonton's isn't saying much at all. Calgary winters can suffer through extended periods (2-3 weeeks in a row) of days on end with weather with highs in the -15 (celsius) to -25C range, and with lows in the -25C to -35 range. These "cold snaps" may be only once or twice in the winter, but they can also last for weeks making it unbearably cold - and even life threatening if you get caught outside without a car. That said, Calgary does enjoy what are known as "Chinooks" - short interludes between cold snaps in which the city's temperature can rise dramatically, even to highs in the low to mid teens celsius for a day or two. But again, don't be fooled. There are two things you need to know about chinooks: first, they're usually very short. And secondd, they'rre not really that "warm". While +13C sounds fairly balmy in the dead of January, it's not in Calgary. That's because a chinook is essentially a "warm" wind that blows down off the rocky mountains (caused by some kind of physics related to the change in elevation of moisture laden air masses). But "warm" is a relative term - compared to, say -25C. So the thermometer might say "+12C", but anyone who's stood outside in Calgary filling up your gas tank in a gale force cold wind knows how fast you run back into your car to take shelter from the unpleasantness of the constant, relentless chinook wind (which, by the way, also helps melt snow REALLY fast - just like anyone who's ever done the science experiment of putting some pure alcohol on your hand then blowing on it can attest). The switch from bitterlyy cold to chinook conditions can make the "average" daily high temperature in Calgary look reasonable, but just be awaree, ALberta winters, whether you're in Calgary or in Edmonton, are long and ridiculously cold, with the odd interlude of thaw. Chicago may be "Thee Windy City", but Calgary is "The Windiest City". You'll live, though. About a million Calgarians do every year, and remain convinced of the illusion that they live in the best city in Canada. Maybee you'll drink the kool-aid too! Good luck! ...I've lived in the heart of the parries and moved to Calgary in part to escape the brutal winters of central Sask...Chinooks and the warmer air they bring last more than a day or two, what lasts for a day or two is the winds that bring in the warm air, the warm air itself can hang around from weeks to even months...other than weather found in Vancouver or Victoria Calgary has the warmest winters of any major city in Canada... Quote “Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives.”- John Stuart Mill
JerrySeinfeld Posted July 25, 2010 Report Posted July 25, 2010 (edited) ...I've lived in the heart of the parries and moved to Calgary in part to escape the brutal winters of central Sask...Chinooks and the warmer air they bring last more than a day or two, what lasts for a day or two is the winds that bring in the warm air, the warm air itself can hang around from weeks to even months...other than weather found in Vancouver or Victoria Calgary has the warmest winters of any major city in Canada... If you look up climate data for central and eastern and west coasts of Canada, you'll find that's simply a false statement. Calgary has brutally cold winters. But as I said, it's comparitively warmer than some other prairie provinces, for what thats worth. But again, that's not saying much in a region known for it's Siberian winter temperatures. If you're coming from the midweest US, you're used to cold. But Calgary is even colder. Don't believe a Calgarian. They have an overinflated and distorted sense of what Calgary is. Especially those who have moved to Calgary from some other frozen wasteland in Canada's prairies - of which much of Calgary's swelling population is comprised. I remember once visiting a Calgarian who had moveed to Calgary from some frozen Alberta town. He couldn't stop talking about how warm Calgary's winters are. Being from the west coast, as we walked down a deserted frozen tundra of a downtown street, I was wondering if I'd ever be able to move my toes again. I nodded knowingly, secretly wondering where they kept the indoctrination clinics. If you're from Chicago, then you're used to a short winter, perhaps 2.5 months, with temperatures hovering in and around freezing (32F-40F, 0C to 5C). You won't get that in Calgary. There will be extended (5-10 days) periods with morning temperatures below -25C and mid-day highs below -15C, and somtimes much colderd. Yes you will get the mercy of the odd chinook, and it may even last more than a day or two. But do your research on Wikipedia - Chinooks rarely last more than a day or two, before temperatures plunging again to their base level (-20C). Most Calgarians will take the one examplee in their lifetime when a chinook came, drove temps up to 18C and it stayed like that for seeven straigt days, and then tell everyone they meet that's what every winter is like, all the time. Don't believe it. It CAN happen, once in a blue moon, but it's more of a once every 5 or 10 years kind of a thing. Great when you get it, but hardly the norm in this icicle of a city. Leave it to the residents to speak of the exception, rather than the rule. Calgary is a nice city compared some of the other desolate prairie cities, but that's not saying too much. They have a hockey team there and I think a symphony and a museum or two. They probably have an art gallery. There is also an annual rodeo. The mountain town of Banff is a couple hours drive once you factor in traffic out of town. You'll get the chance to go there for a ski. That's a great benefit of Calgary. Calgary is also becoming an air-travel hub for the small Canadian airlines (Air Canada dn Westjet, and a handful of charters). This means you will be able to escape the lengthy winter quite easily for a good price. And you will need to. In Calgary, you go months on end where you wake up and go to work in the dark, and then go home from work...in the dark. Did I mention it's deathly cold? LOL. Most of the well priced winter getaway tours from Calgary are to Mexico (Cancun, PV, Cabo) and the down-market Caribbean islands (Dominican Republic, Cuba). You will usually pay through the nose to get to Florida or the nicer islands (Barbados, St. Thomas, St. Maarten), so the pickings are a tadd slim, but getting better all the time for this prairie outpost community. If you're from the chicago area, you're probably used to a lot more choice when it comes to air access, but remember, you're moving to a city that is about 16 times smaller and a lot further up and to the left on a map of north america. The decent air routes are important living here, because, aside from a couple of rocky mountain towns, there really isn't anything else nearby worth driving to. Calgary is pretty much smack dab in the middle of nowhere. If you want to get some clothes or other shopping items you could drive a couple hours north to Edmonton they have one of the world's biggest malls there. You'll find it funny in the summer. While Chicago has roasted in humid 30C+ conditions for the past two months in a row, the residents of Calgary consider it a special occassion for celebration when temperatures breach the 30C mark, and it will on a couple of occasions during the short, two month summer. Radio DJs go off their rocker: "today we're getting a HIGH OF ALL THE WAY UP TO 30C!!!! WOW!!!!" Calgary is a cute town, with a large portion of the population originating from somewhere else. If I had to hazard a guess, it's about 30% "native born", 50% from central and eastern Canada, and 20% from the prairies frozen tundra, which is why you'll get such a large contingent of residents intent on convincing themselves they live in some kind of tropical wonderland despite the realities on the thermometer. Edited July 25, 2010 by JerrySeinfeld Quote
wyly Posted July 25, 2010 Report Posted July 25, 2010 (edited) If you look up climate data for central and eastern and west coasts of Canada, you'll find that's simply a false statement. Calgary has brutally cold winters. But as I said, it's comparitively warmer than some other prairie provinces, for what thats worth. But again, that's not saying much in a region known for it's Siberian winter temperatures.what BS Siberia, I've a friend from Siberia I take it from him Calagary's weather is warmer....You won't get that in Calgary. There will be extended (5-10 days) periods with morning temperatures below -25C and mid-day highs below -15C, and somtimes much colderd. Yes you will get the mercy of the odd chinook, and it may even last more than a day or two. But do your research on Wikipedia - Chinooks rarely last more than a day or two, before temperatures plunging again to their base level (-20C). Most Calgarians will take the one examplee in their lifetime when a chinook came, drove temps up to 18C and it stayed like that for seeven straigt days, and then tell everyone they meet that's what every winter is like, all the time. Don't believe it. It CAN happen, once in a blue moon, but it's more of a once every 5 or 10 years kind of a thing. Great when you get it, but hardly the norm in this icicle of a city. Leave it to the residents to speak of the exception, rather than the rule.wikipedia, oh ya your just research marvel...Chinooks do come every winter and ya every winter is like that... only one winter month in the last 100 yrs has a Chinook failed to bring temps above freezing in every single winter month...averagest temp in jan coldest month -8.9c compared to Milwaukee average Jan temp of -11c....They have a hockey team there and I think a symphony and a museum or two. They probably have an art gallery. There is also an annual rodeo.which sums what you know about calgary, not much...The decent air routes are important living here, because, aside from a couple of rocky mountain towns, there really isn't anything else nearby worth driving to. Calgary is pretty much smack dab in the middle of nowhere. I've lived smack dab in the middle of nowhere and Calgary isn't it, I can get anywhere from here...You'll find it funny in the summer. While Chicago has roasted in humid 30C+ conditions for the past two months in a row, the residents of Calgary consider it a special occassion for celebration when temperatures breach the 30C mark, and it will on a couple of occasions during the short, two month summer. Radio DJs go off their rocker: "today we're getting a HIGH OF ALL THE WAY UP TO 30C!!!! WOW!!!!"strange how people try to get away in the millions from 30+ and humid...mild winters and mild summers, I'll take that....If you're from the chicago area, you're probably used to a lot more choice when it comes to air access, but remember, you're moving to a city that is about 16 times smaller and a lot further up and to the left on a map of north america. 16 times bigger genuis? pop-Milwakee 650,000...Calgary 1 mill...and what's great about a city of millions? I only leave my corner of the city about 100,000 when it's worked related...Mexico city has 18 million maybe he should move there...If you want to get some clothes or other shopping items you could drive a couple hours north to Edmonton they have one of the world's biggest malls there.ya visit edmonton so you can go the the Wal-Mart LOL....not that I do high end shopping but Calgary attracts the high end retailers you find in only the largest centers...Ferrari, Lambo's, Bentley, Aston Martin, Prada, Gucci it's all here because the money is here... Edited July 25, 2010 by wyly Quote “Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives.”- John Stuart Mill
JerrySeinfeld Posted July 26, 2010 Report Posted July 26, 2010 (edited) what BS Siberia, I've a friend from Siberia I take it from him Calagary's weather is warmer.... Wow. Warmer than Siberia. What an impressive claim to fame. Well, every city's got it's strong points. Maybe calgary could finally get over 1988, lose the kitchy red vests and white cowboy hats at the airport and change the sign at the entry to the city: "Welcome to Calgary: Warmer than Siberia!" Trust me dude: Calgary is coo-ooooold! ya visit edmonton so you can go the the Wal-Mart LOL....not that I do high end shopping but Calgary attracts the high end retailers you find in only the largest centers...Ferrari, Lambo's, Bentley, Aston Martin, Prada, Gucci it's all here because the money is here... LOL! funny shit. I love it when small time prairie towns try so hard to tell you how big and important they are. You know when a city becomes truly a first rate city? When the residents take a deep breath and stop trying to convince you how first rate their city is. How can you tell when there's a Calgarian at your party? He'll tell you. Ever go to a national conference or a resort and see the New York City guy running around like a pant-wetting gradeschooler panting at the chance to tell everyone how GRRRRREAT life in Manhattan is, how things are "Just so crazy there!"? Of course not. Because people from real cities don't carry with them the napoleon complex of constantly having to prove to the rest of the world just how great their city is. Everyone already knows. Dude you need to lighten up. You live in a cold city. Freaking cold. Get over it and move on. Chinooks are a merciful break. But they are generally short interruptions stuck between 6 months of misery. Unless you enjor running for your life from the mall doorway to your car because of the cold, scraping ice off your windshield, shovelling snow, shivering to near death while waiting for your car to warm up, huge winter heating bills, ice fog, and nosebleeds from the ultra dryness caused by a combination of zero humidity, sub zero temperatures and cranked up heaters. Here's a good ideaq of a typical Calgary winter day. It can be beautiful, but it's freaking cold! Oh wait, I've got a better sign yet: "Welcome to Calgary: Warmer than Siberia, and some good car dealerships too!" LMFAO! Edited July 26, 2010 by JerrySeinfeld Quote
Guest American Woman Posted July 26, 2010 Report Posted July 26, 2010 (edited) oops! double post. Edited July 26, 2010 by American Woman Quote
Guest American Woman Posted July 26, 2010 Report Posted July 26, 2010 (edited) Chicago may be "Thee Windy City", but Calgary is "The Windiest City". Chicago was actually nicknamed The Windy City because of its long-winded politicians at the time. Trust me dude: Calgary is coo-ooooold! Colder than Ottawa? Here's a good ideaq of a typical Calgary winter day. It can be beautiful, but it's freaking cold! That is a beautiful picture! Here's another pic of Calgary in the winter that I came upon in a search: pic what BS Siberia, I've a friend from Siberia I take it from him Calagary's weather is warmer.... Weren't you just complaining about having to take your wife's snow tires off while giving thanks that the snow had finally all melted just last month? Calgary does sound like a lively, interesting city, though, and that +15 system sounds pretty cool. Lots of beautiful places to visit nearby, too. Edited to add: If you ever heard Newfanese, you'd know. Check youtube, anything by Gazeebow Unit. Trikes and Bikes, maybe. Yissss. That was pretty good! - I did listen to Trikes and Bikes - it was the first thing that came up on a Gazeebow Unit Google search. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, though, so I have to wonder what that says about me? Edited July 26, 2010 by American Woman Quote
kimmy Posted July 26, 2010 Report Posted July 26, 2010 You know when a city becomes truly a first rate city? When the residents take a deep breath and stop trying to convince you how first rate their city is. If that's the measuring stick, it's going to be a long time before you Vancouverites live in a first-rate city. -k Quote (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻ Friendly forum facilitator! ┬──┬◡ﾉ(° -°ﾉ)
kimmy Posted July 26, 2010 Report Posted July 26, 2010 Colder than Ottawa? Definitely colder than Ottawa. However, I think people make a huge mistake if they presume to rate a climate just using a thermometer. I've lived in both Edmonton and in Ottawa (and several other places too), and despite the milder temperatures, Ottawa has hands-down the crappiest climate I've ever experienced. In winter, Ottawa's temperature frequently crosses the freezing mark. Snow melts, runs all over everything, freezes again, and basically turns the whole town into a big skating rink. They dump tons of salt over everything, to the extent that when you get home and your soaking wet shoe-laces dry solid and coated with crystal. You get sleet and freezing rain regularly. On the prairies, once it gets below freezing, it stays there. The snow stays soft and fluffy. You don't get freezing rain. You don't get freeze-thaw cycles and melted water freezing on sidewalks. It's much cleaner in winter. In summer, Ottawa never really gets that hot, which is a blessing, because even the mild temperatures there are unbearable due to the humidity. In the little corner of BC I currently live in, it has been over 35 degrees Celsius for most of the past few weeks, and that temperature is far more comfortable than 25 degrees Celsius in Ottawa. I think the prairies get a bad rap from people who just look at the temperatures. -k Quote (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻ Friendly forum facilitator! ┬──┬◡ﾉ(° -°ﾉ)
Smallc Posted July 26, 2010 Report Posted July 26, 2010 (edited) I think the prairies get a bad rap from people who just look at the temperatures. Eh, I don't know about that. Winter in Winnipeg is nearly unbearable at times. There have been times where the morning temperature has dipped below -40º for extended periods. One time, I started my car, and it was so cold the daytime running lights wouldn't even come on. Edited July 26, 2010 by Smallc Quote
wyly Posted July 26, 2010 Report Posted July 26, 2010 Definitely colder than Ottawa. However, I think people make a huge mistake if they presume to rate a climate just using a thermometer. I've lived in both Edmonton and in Ottawa (and several other places too), and despite the milder temperatures, Ottawa has hands-down the crappiest climate I've ever experienced. In winter, Ottawa's temperature frequently crosses the freezing mark. Snow melts, runs all over everything, freezes again, and basically turns the whole town into a big skating rink. They dump tons of salt over everything, to the extent that when you get home and your soaking wet shoe-laces dry solid and coated with crystal. You get sleet and freezing rain regularly. On the prairies, once it gets below freezing, it stays there. The snow stays soft and fluffy. You don't get freezing rain. You don't get freeze-thaw cycles and melted water freezing on sidewalks. It's much cleaner in winter. In summer, Ottawa never really gets that hot, which is a blessing, because even the mild temperatures there are unbearable due to the humidity. In the little corner of BC I currently live in, it has been over 35 degrees Celsius for most of the past few weeks, and that temperature is far more comfortable than 25 degrees Celsius in Ottawa. I think the prairies get a bad rap from people who just look at the temperatures. -k a visit to Stats Can and you would be proven wrong Calgary winters are temperature warmer than Ottawa although the increased humidity will make Ottawa certianly feel much colder....and you can't compare Calgary to any other prairie city South-west Alberta(Pacific air masses) has a different climate, Edmonton, saskatoon, regina, winterpeg all are much colder due to arctic air masses...the winter cold there is a dry cold so you can dress for it better than a humid cold but still nothing can prepare you for -35,-40 and worse, it's something you never get used to... Quote “Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives.”- John Stuart Mill
wyly Posted July 26, 2010 Report Posted July 26, 2010 (edited) Eh, I don't know about that. Winter in Winnipeg is nearly unbearable at times. There have been times where the morning temperature has dipped below -40º for extended periods. One time, I started my car, and it was so cold the daytime running lights wouldn't even come on. -40 and worse...tires that freeze flat on one side, car seats so cold the seats don't compress when you sit on them, dry clothes freeze solid, when it can hurt to breathe...my Siberian friend told me they shut down the schools at -30 in Siberia not in Saskatoon, -43(wind chill -70) and I walked two K to school and back....nothing can prepare you for those temps, ya I don't miss it at all...my last year in sask there was a stretch of winter where it was about to set a new record for longest cold spell where the temp didn't rise above -30 for 6 weeks I think it was...that was the point I said enough of of this I'm outa here, and moved to Calgary in the summer... Edited July 26, 2010 by wyly Quote “Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives.”- John Stuart Mill
Smallc Posted July 26, 2010 Report Posted July 26, 2010 My family actually lives north of Winnipeg by about 3 hours. Often, Winnipeg is colder than where they (well, me too right now) live. Any place that is called or wants to be called the windy city has nothing on Winnipeg. Quote
Guest American Woman Posted July 27, 2010 Report Posted July 27, 2010 Definitely colder than Ottawa. However, I think people make a huge mistake if they presume to rate a climate just using a thermometer. I've lived in both Edmonton and in Ottawa (and several other places too), and despite the milder temperatures, Ottawa has hands-down the crappiest climate I've ever experienced. Of course I know people can't base their knowledge on one experience, but when I was in Ottawa in March, it was downright frickin' COLD. Too cold to be able to walk more than a block or two without being frozen to the bone, and from what I was being told, it was pretty normal. In winter, Ottawa's temperature frequently crosses the freezing mark. Snow melts, runs all over everything, freezes again, and basically turns the whole town into a big skating rink. They dump tons of salt over everything, to the extent that when you get home and your soaking wet shoe-laces dry solid and coated with crystal. You get sleet and freezing rain regularly. On the prairies, once it gets below freezing, it stays there. The snow stays soft and fluffy. You don't get freezing rain. You don't get freeze-thaw cycles and melted water freezing on sidewalks. It's much cleaner in winter. I've lived where they get freezing rain instead of snow, too, and I prefer snow to that freezing rain. In summer, Ottawa never really gets that hot, which is a blessing, because even the mild temperatures there are unbearable due to the humidity. I was there during the Tulip Festival and it was absolutely gorgeous. I loved the city. But then I went back in March ..... In the little corner of BC I currently live in, it has been over 35 degrees Celsius for most of the past few weeks, and that temperature is far more comfortable than 25 degrees Celsius in Ottawa. Dry heat is more comfortable than humid heat, for sure, as long as one can keep up with their thirst. Dry heat is harsher, though, but I'll take it over humidity. I think the prairies get a bad rap from people who just look at the temperatures. They have the same argument in Alaska -- Anchorage (warmer, more humid) vs. Fairbanks (colder, drier), but when push comes to shove, both have their advantages and disadvantages. I will say this, though, you live in a beautiful part of the world. Quote
Smallc Posted July 27, 2010 Report Posted July 27, 2010 I have a hard time believing that Ottawa in March would be that cold...Winnipeg can be...but Ottawa? Quote
Further North Posted July 27, 2010 Author Report Posted July 27, 2010 (edited) Thanks for elaborating on the weather more. Honestly, I think it's something I can handle. As I said at the beginning I grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. On Lake Michigan and north of Toronto and Ottowa latitude wise. An early snowfall could occur in late Oct. and a late snowfall was liable to still happen in April or early May even. Freak 1 day snow storms in May or June were very rare though. Often times our average "cold days" were somewhere in the range of -11 C. A "REALLY cold day" could dip into the range of -28 to -34 C but those were few and far between. Usually lasting for a week tops. Spring (if you could call it that) is tumultuous period between late March and early to Mid May where temps could climb up to +5 C, drop to - 7 C for a week, climb to +15 for a day, and then drop back to -10 C. Basically by Mid May it was finally consistently +10 or more and climbing and it started to feel remotely like Summer. Summer is a brief 3 month flirtation with sunshine that can go cold as early as Mid - Late Sept. 15 C is considered a cold summer day. 20 - 23 C is average, and 35 is unbearably hot to us. Sometimes in early Oct it could hit - 7 c, or it could be an "Indian Summer" and we could stay in the +10 to +15 range for a few weeks. As I said before by Mid Nov snowfall usually starts to really begin to accumulate. By Christmas time we usually should have around 25 to 30 cm of snowfall. Honestly I would say that I'm GLAD that I grew up in generally cold climate with miserable winters. So many people from the South or out West that move to the Midwest find themselves absolutely miserable and end up quiting their job, selling their house, and moving back to someplace warm with in a matter of a couple years! The I look at it to is you can always add a layer when it's too cold, but at some point you can't take any more off when it's too hot! I think I would whither up and die in a place like Florida, Texas, or Arizona. No thank you. We stay bundled up inside, but they have to seek refuge by an air conditioner all summer because it's 45 C and they can't do a damn thing outside without risking dehydration or sun stroke. Not really a better deal in my mind. Edited July 27, 2010 by Further North Quote
wyly Posted July 29, 2010 Report Posted July 29, 2010 (edited) since I've moved to calgary the coldest temp -28c,warmest 34c....weather can be unpredictable always bring coat with you in spring and fall...the same conditions that bring us warm chinooks also bring in snow, lot's of it, a warm sunny day can turn into a monster snow dump in hours...a bit annoying in the spring when you need to decide when to remove the winter tires...but then in comes another chinook and it all melts away...for anyone who has grown up in regions where there are real extended winters Calgary is nearly tropical in comparison... Edited July 29, 2010 by wyly Quote “Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives.”- John Stuart Mill
Bonam Posted July 29, 2010 Report Posted July 29, 2010 (edited) -40 really isn't so bad. I was out skiing at Le Massif de Charlevoix north of Quebec City in around -40 a few years ago. Great temperature for outdoor activities if you ask me People who complain about the cold are weak. Then again, I'm the guy that spends summer weekends on glaciers. Edited July 29, 2010 by Bonam Quote
Smallc Posted July 29, 2010 Report Posted July 29, 2010 -40 really isn't so bad. I certainly find it cold. Quote
Guest American Woman Posted July 29, 2010 Report Posted July 29, 2010 I have a hard time believing that Ottawa in March would be that cold...Winnipeg can be...but Ottawa? Trust me, it was that cold. It was about 3 years ago, I think. It was disappointing since I was really looking forward to walks along the canal and the capital grounds, etc., and like I said, people basically said it wasn't unusual for Ottawa, but perhaps their take on it isn't exactly the way it is, either. Quote
BubberMiley Posted July 29, 2010 Report Posted July 29, 2010 I have a hard time believing that Ottawa in March would be that cold...Winnipeg can be...but Ottawa? I've expereinced all that a cold winter in Wpg can offer, but the coldest cold I ever felt was in Montreal in April. It was probably only about -15, but the wind and the humidity just chilled you to the bone no matter how many layers you wore. Quote "I think it's fun watching the waldick get all excited/knickers in a knot over something." -scribblet
wyly Posted July 30, 2010 Report Posted July 30, 2010 I certainly find it cold. yup even with no windchill -40 is damn cold...and there places in Russia/Siberia where it gets even colder and the people there think nothing of -40, it's what you're used too I guess... Quote “Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives.”- John Stuart Mill
wyly Posted July 30, 2010 Report Posted July 30, 2010 I've expereinced all that a cold winter in Wpg can offer, but the coldest cold I ever felt was in Montreal in April. It was probably only about -15, but the wind and the humidity just chilled you to the bone no matter how many layers you wore. true, there is no dressing for humidity and cold it's a killer combination, better off with a dry -40.... Quote “Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives.”- John Stuart Mill
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