Why we had so many weeks of fog this spring is a mist-story to me

Hopefully at some point during this summer, the spring will seem like just a haze to us. Hmm, well actually it was that, plus really cold and really wet. As reported on Here & Now, Senior climatologist, David Phillips from Environment Canada tallies the grey days of spring. From March 1 - June 1 (a time period that is mostly spring), St. John's received 590.8 mm of precipitation, far exceeding the average of 353.5 mm for this period.

From March 1 - June 20, St. John's received 679.5 mm of precip, compared to an average of 418 mm. Other areas of the province, except lucky Western, had above average rainfalls too this spring.

That's not all! In the last 70 days, there were 7 days of sun. So perhaps a vitamin D supplement might come in handy. It makes one wonder, "do we have low incidences of skin cancer because of our weather?" Oh well, the worst is over .. I think, and season three of 2010 is now enveloping us with double digits, most days. Here's hoping that the weather trend continues, no, not that one, but the trend of extended weather patterns, like a long warm/hot summer into Sept. While it's here, this blogger will be seizin' the season, and hope you do too.

Water Surpluses, and the Outlook is Good

November - December 11^th (at least) would be the Christmas time of year if you were into the bulk water business here in St. John's/Avalon/many parts of Newfoundland. Sure it is relentlessly dismal, dreadful, gross and imprisoning, but hey, maybe all this rain might uncork the genie out of the lakes for the waterboys. There is no shortage of this resource around here. Take a look at the long range forecast below.   Related update
This post was meant mainly as light-hearted look at our rainy weather, but really a headline like this from CNN is a reminder of how valuable our water resources are, and could raise the issue of bulk water exporting which was controversial about a decade ago when Gisbourne Lake was being considered to use.

Here's a blurb from the CNN story:

The value of water is starting to become apparent in America. Over the past three years a drought has affected large swaths of the country, and conflicts over water usage may become commonplace in the future, climatologists say.

Before very, Very long, the fog will be a blur

Even though every spring, St. John's and much of the surrounding area is an abysmal, disheartening, unrelentingly torturous, morbidly cold, wet, heart of darkness, the place and the weather has to be put into perspective. Yes, it is depressing to wake up for weeks at a time, in April and May, to temperatures of 0 - 3 degree highs, but as many say, it could be worse. All we have to do is read or watch the news for a minute. On any given day, there are human tragedies happening from natural occurrences, like the cyclone in Burma that took 15,000 lives and counting, or the earthquake in China with up to 50,000 souls wiped out, or parts of the southern States where tornados cause hell, not to mention the agony of those involved in war. One could look at our extended winters as the price we pay for peace and life. Those who suffer loss in such calamities would prefer the lives of loved ones to have continued, whatever the weather.

The Next Time You Think the Weather is Bad Here

Then have a look at what the most recent tornado did to this Kansas town. It annihilated 95% of Greensburg. It's amazing anyone survived as some of the dead were found in rubble filled basements. We in Newfoundland and Labrador suffer through long and often brutal cold winters, and hopelessly dreary, lingering, cold, wet, windy springs, at least in St. John's (apart from that the weather couldn't be better). But we do not face the devastation suffered by states in tornado alley, or south-eastern seaboard states that get the brunt of hurricanes. Each time a big tornado or hurricane occurs it amounts to many $ billions worth in damages, not to mention the priceless lives that are taken. So far, there are 11 people confirmed dead in Greensburg. If you could put a town in a giant blender and set it to maximum, here is what it might look like. It looks like Hiroshima.

Like many I have complained about our weather, but when seeing and hearing about disasters like Greensburg, it helps put our place and weather in better perspective, and reminds me to appreciate this place. You can take any place in the world and find something positive and negative about it. We associate warmth with the southern U.S. People in the south may love non-winter like weather for much of the year, but they have to deal with nature's cruel force and destruction. It's like people living there have been gambling in a bizarre lotto - and the winners are the ones who lost everything but their lives. In fact it reminds me of a short story called The Lottery by Shirley Jackson. It's an inverted lottery in which the "winner" gets stoned to death, but year after year, the towns people gamble, knowing it could be anyone.

Unfortunately it is all too real and sad for the families of the eleven killed.

If anyone still thinks we have it bad, then have a look at this video footage of the damage in Kansas. With a risk of freezing rain and cool temperatures today I'll have no reason to complain.