In Like a Lion

So, here I am practicing my piccolo (Hindemith Symphony in B flat) for an upcoming concert, and all of a sudden there's a bright flash of light from outside. It lit up the whole coach house- through the blinds!!!
Of course- it is SNOWING!! We're supposed to get a fabulous mix of snow, snow pellets and freezing rain over the next day. And now, apparently, thunder and lightning!!!

meteorologist wannabe

I always love it when a weather warning is issued. Thunderstorms or snow storms, the crazier the better. Usually the warnings don't pan out, and the supposed 'awful' storm blows on by, leaving us with only a few drops of rain or what couldn't even be called a blanket of snow. And more importantly, leaving me waiting for the next exciting weather warning.

Last night a weather warning was issued for the Toronto area. 10 - 15 centimeters of snow, snow pellets and freezing rain was expected. I was ecstatic!! Our first real snow storm of the year. YAY!! I could hear the scratchy sound of snow pellets falling all night. I was thrilled. I even read the full out warning....... I have to share some of it with you. Who knew that someone at Environment Canada had a sense of humour?!! I guess in Canada you have to have one if you're in the weather field!!

Taken from
Environment Canada's Official Weather Warnings

Warnings
City of Toronto
3:50 PM EST Sunday 14 January 2007
Snowfall Warning
10-15 cm of heavy snow mixed with ice pellets. Overnight and Monday.

"...... Despite the lull, the battle between the mild air well to the south and the invading cold Arctic air of winter from the north is not over........ Winter will finally win this latest battle with the mild air as the storm center races off into New England by Monday evening. In it's wake, the coldest airmass so far this season will invade by Tuesday. Temperatures will plunge several degrees below normal as winter finally settles in, for the time being."

Battles, invasions, storms, racing off and more invasions. I think the person who wrote this secretly wants to write fantasy novels instead!!!

Alas, the warning has ended and all that is forecast now are a few pitiful flurries. And so, like usual, I am left to eagerly await the coveted, much anticipated, highly elusive perfect storm.

It's raining, it's pouring, I wish that it was snowing

Well, December 1st and it is POURING rain outside. This weather is not condusive to grocery shopping, doing laundry (I have to go outside) or any other task that I really actually need to do. What it is good for is blogging, knitting, t.v. vegging, sleeping in until noon, and eating too many cookies. I would add practicing to my list, but I have quite the cold right now, so I am procrastinating practicing as well. Other things I could be doing inside include dishes, vacuuming, cleaning the bathroom and dusting. But frankly, if I'm not practicing, those things probably aren't going to get done either!!!

Also, being the Alberta girl that I am, I have to say that December is for SNOW. NOT rain. I have new winter boots, that are waterproof, but I think snow waterproof and rain waterproof are two very different things, so I'm a bit nervous to wear them out in the pouring rain. I saw a fancy pair of rubber boots the other day- a nice charcoal grey on the foot part, with some brown/grey tweed material up the leg. Very nice. I never thought I would be considering investing in a pair of rubber boots in December.