Canada Awash with the Whites

The aftermath of the snowstorm of January 19, 2009 in Toronto

Photos © Jerome D'Costa
Layout: Joachim Romeo D'Costa

Snow, snow and snow -- everywhere! Yes, Canada is now blanketed with a thick layer of the whites. In addition, Canadians are braving a bone-jarring cold weather.

Currently, the temperature is: Vancouver 5C, Yellowknife -27C, Iqaluit -25C, Calgary 7C, Regina -8C, Toronto -5C, Montreal -11C and Halifax -6C. It is dangerous to go out of houses without appropriate cold weather clothing.

After the dumping of tons of snow, these places have a surreal look -- a kind of dreamlandy appearance. A few years ago, an immigrant from Bangladesh who never witnessed a snowfall in his life, described it thus: "We imagine heaven to be a place where everything is brightly white and pure. After the snowfall I find Toronto to be like that!"

Another view of the streets, sidewalks, lawns and houses -- all covered
with about 35 centimetres (13.78 inches) of snow (January 19, 2009)

Photo © Jerome D'Costa

Snowy Weather Terms

Those who live outside the snowy weather zones, will find it helpful to go through the goodies below:

Blizzard: A winter snow storm with strong winds, very cold temperature, low visibility, and lasting three to six hours.

Cold Spell: A period of cold weather.

Flurry: A sudden light snow fall of a short duration, having a very little accumulation.

Freezing Ice Storm: A snow storm in which snow only freezes on roads.

Freezing Rain: Rain, due to temperature below the freezing point of water, that freezes and forms a layer of ice on the ground or any other object.

Frost: A layer of tiny water crystals, resulting from frozen water vapour.

Ice Storm: A snow storm where widespread icing of plants, trees and infrastructures takes place.

Icicle: A tapering and pointed hanging piece of ice, formed after dripping water is frozen.

Sleet: Rain drops that freezes before reaching the ground and fall as ice pellets.

Snowfall: The depth of the layer of the newly-fallen snow.

Snow Flurry: Same as Flurry.

Snowpack: The accumulated snow --both new and old -- that covers a given area.

Snow Shower: A brief falling of snow at varying intensities.

Snow Squall: A brief, sudden and violent snowstorm.

Snow Storm: A winter storm having a large amount of snowfall.

Wind Chill: The cooling effect of wind and air, when applied to the loss of body heat from exposed skin.

Winter Storm: A storm with heavy snowfall, freezing rain, or sleet.