There is an expression used on the Canadian prairie: weather is what weather does. It certainly did a lot this week in Powell River and we can only hope that it is done.
The city has had above average snowfall and below average temperatures for the month of February. Not the harsh blizzards the rest of the country has suffered with their Arctic vortexes and huge dumps of snow, but enough for us.
These are extreme weather events. As symptomatic as hot, dry summers, colder and harsher winters are irrefutable evidence of a climate in transition and, unless you are Donald Trump, the commander-in-chief of climate change deniers, the science is undeniable.
When we leave our vehicles idling for 20 minutes to heat them up enough to melt the snow and ice off the windshield, or turn the temperature up to keep the house toasty warm and us as snug as a bug in a rug, we are using more fossil fuel and contributing to global warming. For the last time, snow storms and freezing temperatures do not mean global warming is false news.
Cold is cold, dry or damp, whether it’s -40 degrees Celsius at the intersection of Portage and Main in Winnipeg or poor Montreal, which was essentially cancelled on Wednesday when a record blizzard slammed it.
Some Powell River residents, who still live “back in the day” guffawed at the shutdown of city services this week because of some snowflakes. Those who “remember when” share tales of the city never shutting down because of a little snow. They say they walked barefoot through six feet of snow and sub-zero temperatures five miles uphill both ways just to get to school.
There were employees forced to take the day off on Tuesday. Those who did go into work and the business owners who showed up and opened up, we thank you.
The shutdowns were done for safety’s sake. Powell River’s city crews were out with plows and salt to keep the roads as clear as they could. First responders were at the ready and, fortunately, there were no major incidents. A tip of the tuque to all of you.
For all of the disruption and complaining this week, take a moment to look back in the day when we were young. We only need to look at the photographs in the Peak this week to put a smile on our faces. Look at snow through children’s eyes and see snowmen, snow angels, snow fights and snow days off school.
Remember Wednesday and for that one, brief, shining day, all was forgotten, until the weather decided to do what it does. Hopefully, it decides to warm up.
