I’m from Chicago, so I have pre-programmed skepticism about weather.
Today, Environment Canada, under which the Weather Office falls, issued an Arctic Overflow Warning for Metro Vancouver. I’m still trying to figure out “Lower Mainland,” but suffice to say, “Metro Vancouver” is, well, Vancouver. The warning, states, in part:
An Arctic ridge of high pressure building across the British Columbia interior is producing strong outflow winds through coastal valleys and inlets. The strong outflow winds in combination with very cold air are producing wind chill values exceeding minus 20 degrees for much of the BC coast with values down to minus 35 reported on the north coast.
The Fraser Valley will experience strong outflow winds and blowing snow leading to treacherous conditions. These conditions are forecast to intensify this morning as the Arctic front pushes towards the coast and snowfall gets thrown into the mix.
I don’t care what system you use, -20 (see how it says minus) is cold! I don’t know what “outflow winds” means, but it doesn’t sound good. And I specially like the phrase “snowfall gets thrown into the mix.” How’s that for folksly straight talk?
And then, a little further down, there’s this paragraph:
Arctic outflows combined with the frontal system approaching Washington state today will lead to enhanced snowfall amounts over Southern Vancouver Island as well as the Southern Gulf Islands. 10 to 20 cm of snow is expected through this morning.
Outflows. Frontal systems. What the heck does that even mean?! Frontal systems conjure images of a big H or L swooping down on Chicago, bringing with it nice or crappy weather, depending on the season and what air mass it meets when it gets to Chicago.
The thing that really threw me, though, was “enhanced snowfall amounts.” Even just “enhanced snowfall.” Does that mean sleet? Slush? Hail?
Vancouver Island I know. I got schooled on that one by a Canadian Customs Border Agent. I had been up since 3am Chicago time, and it was 2pm Pacific. I was here visiting, and when asked what I was going to see, I ticked off a couple items and said “maybe Victoria Island or Vancouver Island.” The agent gave me a hard look and then promptly told me that Victoria Island is near the Arctic Circle, so it would be Vancouver Island I would be visiting, which is where Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, is located.
Playing “dumb American” can bring out the best in Canadian Customs Border Agents, no? I thanked him for correcting my misinformation and he promptly sent me on my way.
The encounter did nothing to educate me on Canadian weather, though, so I’m going to have to rely on the Internet…oh wait. #SOPAblackout Day. Will have to rely on my co-workers to help decipher Canadian weather.