Extreme cold across much of northeastern North America

[lagatta]

Brrrrr! We haven't had an early winter this cold in over 25 years; in Toronto (usually relatively mild these years) they haven't seen such cold in late December since 1960, meaning many Torontonians have never experienced it. (Most, actually, in terms of age groups and the fact that so many Torontonians are immigrants, most of them from warmer places). There are extreme snowfalls in the snowbelts on the US side of Lakes Erie and Ontario. And...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/extreme-cold-snap-expected-to-linger-environment-canada-says-1.4466086

Basically, it is the pits! And no, it does NOT mean that climate change is "fake news". Climate change entails extreme weather events, not a harmonious slow warming (which would be nice around here).

[mich64]

It has been incredibly cold the past few days here as well Lagatta! -30C this morning and with the windchill -39C. Wondering if the car will start later today. We are supposed to go out tonight to a hockey game, looking forward to seeing the game but not looking forward to leaving the house to get there! No relieve seen on the upcoming weeks forecast either. Perhaps our vehicle will not even start to get us there.

[kerouac2]

Besides the temperature variations, there have also been major wind storms across France. I wouldn't call them abnormal, but it seems like there are quite a few more than there used to be.

Yesterday, the wind was rattling the sheets of zinc on the roof. And when that happens, I can actually feel the breeze in my attic room since the wind gets under the roofing. Not nice on a cold winter day!

(We're supposed to put a new roof on in a year or two and it should be better then -- but it's going to cost more than 100,000 euros to be shared among the co-owners.)

[rikita]

here, it is much too warm so far. a couple of cold days in between, but then it gets warm again. various storms, too - another one announced for today.

[lagatta]

rikita, I know you are saying that in terms of climate change, but in terms of comfort, I don't really see how it can be too warm in Berlin in January. There can be a problem with plants flowering or leafing far too early, then that growth dies when there is a frost. That has happened here frequently in recent years, but the plants rarely die.

[mickthecactus]

My lot are just back from NY but found the cold really hard work and they didn’t see as much as they wanted to.

I see Minnesota has recorded 45 below zero without adding on the windchill. I just can’t imagine that.

[mich64]

My husband was on shift yesterday, at about 9:30 p.m. they got a call for a structure fire. It was a large garage separate from the residence and thankfully no one was injured. It was an extremely cold night to fight a fire, it was about -30 with a wind chill of -42.

[cheerypeabrain]

It's hard to imagine such extreme temperatures. The worst we've had here in the city in my experience is about -10 and these sort of temperatures are rarely for extended periods of time.

Do these extreme temperatures affect things like utilities, transport etc. In the UK everything grinds to a halt if we get a few mm of snow....

[lagatta]

Montréal is used to cold and heavy snowfalls so there is infrastructure for it. However we haven't had such an extended cold snap in over 30 years. The winters are much milder than they used to be, and a year ago I was cycling this time of year - and I hate being cooped up with the frigging snow and ice. This year it was deathly cold at least down to NYC, where there is always some snow and cold in the winter, but not like now.

Huckle, "If you're going to the north country fair"...http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2z34

[rikita]

Dec 31, 2017 12:25:40 GMT lagatta said:

rikita, I know you are saying that in terms of climate change, but in terms of comfort, I don't really see how it can be too warm in Berlin in January. There can be a problem with plants flowering or leafing far too early, then that growth dies when there is a frost. That has happened here frequently in recent years, but the plants rarely die.

i meant too cold for the time of year, of course - though also, sometimes the grey wet and not that cold weather can be more frustrating than some proper winter days (as long as you don't have to be outside too much) - and there have to be some days with proper snow so you can go to the park with the toboggan. weeks and weeks of snow will be annoying, but some days are nice. and weeks and weeks of really strong cold are annoying too, but it is nice to be able to ice skate on lakes or canals occasionally (not that i did this in recent years) ...

[lagatta]

Huckle, it was not as horribly cold today. I wouldn't say "mild" but I was able to walk around and do my utilitarian shopping without freezing or feeling as if I constantly had to pee. I have to run an errand tomorrow; want to also check out the after-Christmas sales as I need another pair of jeans. I am so NOT a shop until you drop person; I'm not saying that to appear to be above such frivolous interests but because I find shopping tiring. And I won't buy jeans online unless I know that the brand and model will fit properly.

[Deleted]

This particular thread seems to me, anyway, a segue of what the WEATHER WHERE YOU ARE
thread and not particularly isolated to what's going on weather wise wherever we are.
The arctic blast that hit the NE is not at all that singular an event or unusual although, it doesn't occur every winter.
The same goes for here in the Southern NA where we have experienced very uncomfortable conditions.
So, tonight, we are supposed to plunge back down in the 20F's.
Warnings, shelters etc. are in place for all those in need of warmth and comfort.