Today, December 9 2009, saw Toronto’s first appreciable snowfall of this winter’s season. The snow seems to arrive much later as the years pass and it must be a consequence of Global Warming!
In the past (the 1950′s, 1960′s and 1970′s) for instance a “White Christmas” (i.e. with plenty of snow) was virtually certain. Today they are few and far between.
It is likely that Toronto will have a “Green Christmas” this year even though there is quite a bit of snow on the ground this morning. The afternoon is forcast to be +5C and the snow is already melting causing floods and sloppy road conditions.
In recent years you haven’t seen much snow until January and February and mid-March is pretty much the end of winter in Toronto.
The lack of snow has, in the past, played havoc with ski resorts just north of the city. However, this year, there is at least a foot of snow just north of Toronto (away from the moderating influence of Lake Ontario).
We’ll just have to wait and see how long this milder weather will last this season. Most Canadians (with the exception of skiiers) really appreciate the lack of snowfall!
But one thing is certain. The few inches of snow that it on the ground today will not be there tomorrow!