Local

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Weekend weather

By: Doug Speirs

Posted: 07/1/2012 4:14 AM | Comments: 0

As required by federal law, we are going to kick off your holiday weekend weather forecast with the following expression of true patriot love: "Hurray, Canada!"

That said, here's your official outlook for Canada Day: "Look for a mix of cold beer and greasy snack-related items in the morning, followed by scattered periods of waving the flag and getting sunburned at parties around the city, capped off by a 100 per cent chance of catching some fireworks in the evening and feeling just a little smug about living in the best country in the world."

The great news is that Environment Canada's scientific forecast is almost identical to ours, which brings a small patriotic weather-related drop of moisture to our eye.

My true Canadian buddy Dale Marciski from Environment Canada advised me via email that a weak trough of low-pressure will bring us a 30 per cent chance of showers this afternoon along with a risk of a thunderstorm and a high of 29 C, which is up nicely from the normal high of 25 C at this time of year.

You didn't ask, but Monday also looks a bit on the shady side, with a 60 per cent chance of more rain and a high of 27 C. What you really want to know, however, is what the outlook is for Canada Day.

According to my pal Dale, a timely high-pressure ridge means it should be gloriously sunny with a high of 31 C, so slap on a little sunscreen under that red and white face paint, kids. "Looks like a nice day for celebrations and fireworks," is how Dale put it.

As a special holiday treat, Dale offered these historic weather tidbits for your enjoyment, including:

1) Hottest temperature ever recorded in Canada: 45 C at Yellow Grass and Midale, Sask., on July 5, 1937. (Winnipeg: 42.2 C on July 11, 1936.)

2) Coldest temperature ever recorded in Canada: -63 C at Snag, Yukon, on Feb. 3, 1947. (Winnipeg: -47.8 C on Dec. 24, 1879.)

The real question is: What are you going to do to show your true colours on Canada Day. The answer: For starters, you can head down to the legislative grounds Sunday around 9:30 a.m. to help the Downtown BIZ beat six other cities by forming the country's largest living flag.

Last year, 3,400 Winnipeggers stood shoulder-to-shoulder to flap in the breeze in front of the legislature and the goal for Sunday is 5,000 participants, with free T-shirts handed out on a first-come, first-served basis. Photos of our record-breaking Living Maple Leaf will be taken between 11:15 a.m. and noon.

After that, off you and the kids go to celebrations at Assiniboine Park, Osborne Village, The Forks and other venues for fun, food, frolic, fireworks and, yes, more flag waving.

So from all of us here at Weather Central: Happy Birthday, Canada! You may be turning 145, but to us you don't look a day over 140.

doug.speirs@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 1, 2012 A2

Factual inaccuracy? Something missing? Help improve our journalism.

Know about news? Share your story suggestions, photos and video.

Spelling error? Punctuation problem? Send us an email if you’ve found a typo.

More Local

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.