Your weekend weather

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/11/2009 (6057 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Look, everyone, we need to remain calm and review the evidence like rational adults.

Exhibit A: Two weeks ago, the weather was great. For all I know, it was great three weeks ago. Someone should definitely look into that.

Exhibit B: Last week, the weather was wonderful, too.

Exhibit C: The forecast for this coming week? Surprise, it’s going to be great again, as in sunny with a few clouds and temperatures well above normal. Seriously, today’s forecast calls for clear skies and a daytime high of 10 C, compared to the normal high of -4 C at this time of year. Weird, eh?

What I’m trying to say here is it’s late November. It’s not supposed to be like this. There should be snow on the ground. It’s Winnipeg, right?

Which brings us to today’s scientific weather question: What the (very bad word) is going on?

This is the sort of question that requires a lot of time, skill and knowledge to answer, so we won’t do that.

What we’ll do instead is go with the first explanation that pops into our head — space aliens! Yes, we need to consider the possibility space aliens are using their death-ray lasers to slowly warm our planet for their own nefarious purposes.

I decided to put that theory to Dale Marciski, Environment Canada’s outreach officer for Manitoba and a hugely respected meteorologist. But first I had to warm him up.

Me: "Dale, what’s with the weird warm weather?"

Dale: "In the last few weeks, we’ve had a southwesterly flow of warm air from the western U.S."

Me: "Uh huh."

Dale: "It’s actually coming in from the Pacific Ocean. That’s partly why it’s been so wet in B.C. They’ve been drenched."

Me: "So my mom tells me."

Dale: "The moist air gets dumped in the mountains and then we get the warm air, but it’s much drier."

Me: "Would you like to hear my theory?"

Dale: "I’d love to. We’re open to new theories."

Me: "Space aliens! They’re using their advanced technology to change our weather." Dale: "???"

Me: "Can you categorically DENY that aliens are to blame?" Dale: "Um, I’d be skeptical, however, I can’t rule anything out at this point."

So, clearly, we need to give this issue some serious thought, but first we need to review a few of the fun events scheduled for what looks like another glorious weekend.

If you’re feeling festive, head over to the Assiniboine Park Conservatory and check out the Festival of Trees & Lights. It runs until Dec. 6 and admission is free.

If you’d rather hide from the sun (and the aliens’ death-ray lasers), you can get your rocks on at the annual Manitoba Mining and Mineral Convention at the convention centre. It’s free to the public today from 8:30 a.m. until noon.

But I will be very disappointed if you don’t drive over to the Winnipeg Humane Society’s shelter at 45 Hurst Way on Sunday from noon until 4 p.m. to have your pets’ picture taken with Santa Claus, as portrayed by myself. You get one photo for $12, or three for $25.

Look, Winnipeg, it’s November. It’s sunny. There’s no snow. Get out there and enjoy yourselves. If you need to reach me, I’ll be on board the Mother Ship.

doug.speirs@freepress.mb.ca