5°c Partly cloudy
16°c Isolated showers
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Your weekend weather
Get ready to slap on sunscreen and a dorky hat, kids, because summer is almost here.
Is that exciting, or what? I know what you're thinking. You're thinking: "Hey, I thought summer was ALREADY here, what with all the hot, sunny weather and everything."
Well, as a respected weather professional, let me just say this: You are an idiot! What we've been enjoying the past few weeks, with a few notable exceptions, has just been really nice SPRING weather.
My point is, it may have been pleasant, but it wasn't (bad word) summer weather. It wasn't "official." But -- and this is the exciting part -- summer officially arrives in this hemisphere on Wednesday with the summer solstice, the longest day of the year.
On that day, it will be legal for you to go outside and get a wicked sunburn, but that's probably not going to happen, because things are looking a little iffy at the moment. My buddy Dale Marciski at Environment Canada says today, just in time for the Red River Ex, we'll see showers and a risk of a thunderstorm in the morning, with a high of 20 C, down from the normal high of 24 C at this time of year.
Yes, rain and the Ex at the same time! "I don't know how that happens," Dale said. "There's a trough of low pressure coming just in time for the Ex. By the end of Saturday afternoon, there should be some sun.
"I'm not predicting a beautiful clear blue sky, but it should be pretty decent. There's no real hot weather this week. The pattern seems to be a little cloudy and a little showery. It's not going to rain all the time; it's just not that stretch of warm dry weather."
We're looking at more clouds on Sunday -- Urgent Gift Reminder: This also happens to be Father's Day! -- and a high of 21 C. And the first day of summer? That's right: Clouds and a 60 per cent chance of rain.
Fortunately, spring is going out with a major bang in the sense there's a ton of stuff to do, such as heading to the Ex for the monster roller-coaster, the games, the entertainment and the mini-doughnuts.
Also, this is the opening weekend of the Winnipeg International Jazz Festival, with lots of free, funky shows at The Cube in Old Market Square. You'll find more information at www.jazzwinnipeg.com .
You and your bike can wheel down to The Forks Market Plaza today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the annual Mountain Equipment Co-op Bike Fest, featuring free repair clinics, a decorating station, live music, prizes and bike polo matches.
On Sunday, I suggest dragging Dad outside to watch thousands of people in expensive sneakers take part in the 34th running of the Manitoba Marathon. Make Dad sit in a lawn chair, wearing sunscreen and a dorky hat. Tell him I said that's "official!"
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 16, 2012 A2
More Columnists
- Back to Top
- Return to Columnists
More Columnists
(1 of 43 articles for this week)
To call 'Cliffy' a character doesn't do him justice
1:00 AM 0
Poll
Most Popular Columnists
- Vigneault will be a man in demand
- Blame ad by mayor, deputy for jeopardizing money-saver
- Buck 'goes long' for Winnipeg
- Burmistrov wants out of Winnipeg
- Don't wear yourself out trying to win her back
- Pretty/ugly
- Harper needs to quit hiding behind his staff
- When Harper spoke, it was wise to listen
- Lots of worthwhile choices on the menu at surprising spot in Charleswood
- When money talks, it says, 'End fighting in the NHL'
- Burmistrov wants out of Winnipeg
- A new mom's booze-fuelled hell
- Katz bogeys again
- 'It's a beautiful story': There's not always a tomorrow to say you're sorry or make things right
- Harper needs to quit hiding behind his staff
- Political opportunity knocks to abolish Senate
- Tell husband you're not talking to her... maybe tell him why
- Tell the building manager and the peep show will end
- Big Blue will have one helluva punter
- Vigneault will be a man in demand
- Burmistrov wants out of Winnipeg
- Goodbye, Susan; a privilege to know you
- Twins are theirs, but province doesn't agree
- Bun Brouhaha: Kitchen staff's snap firing worthy of reality TV
- Beloved piece of Winnipeg's music history deserves better
- A new mom's booze-fuelled hell
- Facebook pokes Manitoba
- Katz bogeys again
- Dugouts could change the game
- Winter is coming
- 'It's a beautiful story': There's not always a tomorrow to say you're sorry or make things right
- New Blue stadium lives up to the hype; now it's up to you
- A new mom's booze-fuelled hell
- Tick season means pets at risk of Lyme disease
- Burmistrov wants out of Winnipeg
- Going gluten-free doesn't mean giving up foods you love
- Tapping sweetness from birch trees
- Mount Carmel Clinic: An oasis of acceptance in a judgmental world
- Katz bogeys again
- Harper needs to quit hiding behind his staff
- Twins are theirs, but province doesn't agree
- 'It's a beautiful story': There's not always a tomorrow to say you're sorry or make things right
- Bun Brouhaha: Kitchen staff's snap firing worthy of reality TV
- Dugouts could change the game
- Happily selling shoes at age 89
- Facebook pokes Manitoba
- White sucker right for Manitoba
- New Blue stadium lives up to the hype; now it's up to you
- Selinger's ability to sell case weak link in tax-hike plan
- Emotional roller-coaster
Ads by Google
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.