Canada's Coldest Winter

A recent question from a Hubber inquired about the coldest winter in Canada.  Canada is a vast land stretching from coast to coast 3500 miles and of course from the U.S border to the Arctic Ocean.  The climate varies greatly across the country, with the West Coast having moderate weather, dipping occasionally below 32 F (0C), but for the most part above freezing.  The prairies, not including the territories, can probably boast the coldest weather in the country.

Temperatures in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Alberta often deep into the 40 below (F and C) range.  While it is difficult to pinpoint the coldest winter I can certainly relate to the coldest winter in my recollection.  As a disclaimer, mild winters are not common in my part of the country.

Snow can almost always be guaranteed until at least the end of March, but most times into April in North Central Alberta.  As a guide, pasturing of  animals is normally possible in  the third week in May.  This ends the hay feeding season, that stared around Oct 15th. 

Summers are mild, with stretches of what we consider hot period, in July (above 30C).  Daylight hours are long, with longest day (June 21st) having daylight from 4 am to close to midnight.  Given the proper conditions, i.e. a good mix of precipitation and sunshine, two cuts of hay are possible for winter feeding.

Environment Canada had issued a long range weather forecast advising Canadians that the upcoming winter would be one of the coldest on record.  They were definitely not far off with their prediction when it came to Central Albert and particularly the area around Redwater.

When I woke up on the morning of December 13th, 2009, I gazed at the thermometer and my lower lip dropped.  Low and behold it had reached the bottom and showed 45 below F.  It was hailed at the coldest winter in years and was blamed on the weather phenomenon La Nina.

The temperatures create havoc for emergency services such a Fire and EMS services.  It is also a major problem for the homeless.  Homeless shelters are overflown and have extended their hours.

In both Edmonton and Calgary Police and Paramedics moved out to get the homeless into shelters. 

At these temperatures exposed skin can freeze in less than five minutes.  

Having animals does not permit one not to go out into the elements and look after their needs. Needless to say, horses, in my case, have special needs during the harsh winter months. Forage is what keeps them warm. With dismay I stumbled into the frozen great outdoors. The animals were all fine.

Interestingly enough, my water trough was frozen on that morning. I had thought that the bowl heater had conked out, found another one that worked and went to replace it. There was no power to the court. I checked the main outlet, it worked. It was so cold last night, that the electrical cord to the heater snapped like a stick. This has been my first experience with a power court snapping.

The cold doesn't feel all that bad when you're working out there. The sunshine that accompanies arctic highs is also good for the soul. At least that is how I motivate myself. Sunshine is the result of an Arctic High at that time of year and Arctic Highs are bitter cold.

After taking care of my animals I retreated to the comfort of my home, with the natural gas furnace almost operating continuously. This would not have been a good day for it to quit.

Another danger with the severe cold, is the snapping of power lines if they were stretched too tight to start out with. It can certainly happen during 40 below weather. Our power crews are normally right on the job and it never becomes a real issue.

A report from Canada's National Newspaper the "Globe and Mail" described the day as follows:

Dangerously cold temperatures have settled in across much of the Prairies and northern Ontario this weekend.

Environment Canada has issued warnings, saying the wind chill could reach -50C.

At those temperatures, exposed skin can freeze in less than five minutes.

In both Edmonton and Calgary, police and paramedics were moving out to help get the homeless into shelters.

So far the news is good at Edmonton's Hope Mission, a Christian social agency that provides the bulk of shelter space with five facilities and 700 beds.

Communications director Peter Gerber says while they were fuller than usual on Friday night, there were still beds left.

If shelters start to overflow, the organization also has a warehouse with washroom facilities on hand, where clients would be provided with mats and blankets.

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