24 December 2017

Meteorologist Humour

This statement reminds me.
5:53 AM EST Sunday 24 December 2017
Special weather statement in effect for:
Ottawa North - Kanata - Orléans
Ottawa South - Richmond - Metcalfe
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the Ontario Storm Prediction Centre
Not a creature was stirring, except the meteorologists
As all eyes were transfixed on jolly Old St. Nick, his herd of furry friends, and an approaching snow storm just in time for Christmas.
So, for those dreaming of a white Christmas, you will get your wish. A Texan low is gathering strength this morning and will race towards us approaching the speed of Rudolph later today. It will transport snow into Southern Ontario beginning this afternoon. As the low pressure centre dashes just south of the lower Great Lakes tonight, snow will intensify across Southern Ontario this evening. Somewhat heavier snow is likely in some areas, especially in the Greater Toronto Area where a snowfall warning is in effect. Visibility may be limited likely making travel challenging. Snowfall totals of 5 to 10 centimetres are expected by the time it tapers off overnight or on Christmas Day in Eastern Ontario. Travelers are encouraged to adjust their plans if possible.
The forecasters at the Ontario Storm Prediction Centre wish you warm holiday greetings and a happy, healthy and safe 2018!
Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ec.cpio-tempetes-ospc-storms.ec@canada.ca or tweet reports using #ONStorm.
Many years ago, on night shift in Halifax prior to the Trudeau-mania election, we issued a forecast which began "Liberal amounts of sunshine and conservative amounts of cloud will be democratically scattered across the region on election day."

2 comments:

  1. A meteorologist friend of mine once told me that meteorology was an "imperfect science"!

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  2. It IS imperfect!
    A chum who spent years as a weather-observing technician explained how the weather people, then part of Environment Canada, counted themselves as having scored perfectly if the forecast was within two degrees of the temperature experienced.
    So they were bang-on if the forecast was for 1 degree above freezing, and the temperature experienced was 1 degree below zero. Ahem. So if you fitted yourself out for the also predicted rain, and ended up sliding off the road on black ice instead, Environment Canada was pleased with their weather performance. That's what I call a strong union! Cheers, BT

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