Hail series (Part 3): Forecasting hail and insurance implications When forecasting the potential for hail, the first thing we look for is the potential for thunderstorm activity and the type of thunderstorms that are expected to develop. As mentioned in part 2 of this series, supercell thunderstorms tend to produce the largest hail and thus, […]
Read MoreHail series (Part 2): Storm patterns
Hail series (Part 2): Storm patterns Viewed from the air, we can see that hail falls along paths known as hail swaths. These can be quite small – a hectare or so (a few acres) in area – or quite large, 16 kilometres (10 miles) wide by 160 kilometres (100 miles) long. Hail swaths that persist […]
Read MoreHail series (Part 1): What is hail and where does it come from?
Hail series: What is hail and where does it come from? Hail is frozen precipitation, born of the updrafts of thunderstorms. Updrafts are rising air currents, which combined with cold temperatures and water droplets, are the primary forces that create hail. Such conditions are frequently present in the middle and upper portions of thunderstorms. Hailstone […]
Read MoreHail Series Introduction
Hail Series Introduction Over the next few weeks we’ll be publishing a series about hail. Hail affects nearly everyone at one time or another. Throughout the summer months, farmers, car dealers, insurance professionals, and many others, scan the sky daily. They are watching for towering cumulus clouds that may suddenly explode with thunder and lightning, […]
Read MoreOne of the Driest Winters on Record Across Much of the Prairies – Except Southern Alberta
One of the Driest Meteorological Winters on Record Across Much of the Prairies – Except Southern Alberta *Note: these statistics do not include the early March 2018 winter storm across the Prairies, which was technically part of meteorological spring. It was a very dry meteorological winter (DJF) across much of the Prairies this year. Widespread […]
Read MoreWeatherlogics’ Summer Forecast for 2018
Weatherlogics’ Summer Forecast for 2018 Our summer forecast for temperature, rainfall, and thunderstorms in 2018. While it may not seem like it right now, spring is just around the corner. Meteorological spring begins on March 1, which has many people wondering what the upcoming summer has in store. We have prepared our outlook for this […]
Read MoreFreezing Rain Vs. Freezing Drizzle: What’s the difference?
Freezing Rain Vs. Freezing Drizzle: What’s the difference? In the winter months, one of the most feared weather conditions is freezing rain. It causes ice to accumulate on roads and sidewalks, making travel treacherous. While we all know freezing rain is dangerous, what makes it different from freezing drizzle, or even black ice? In this […]
Read MoreLa Niña Watch Issued; Is a Cold Winter Coming?
La Niña Watch Issued; Is a Cold Winter Coming? A La Niña Watch was issued by the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) last week. According to the CPC website, a La Niña Watch is issued when conditions are favourable for the development of La Niña conditions within the next six months. As you’ve probably heard before, […]
Read MoreWill Hailstorms be More Common on the Prairies in the Future?
Will Hailstorms be More Common on the Prairies in the Future? Will hailstorms be more common on the Canadian Prairies in the future? That question was posed by atmospheric scientists from Environment and Climate Change Canada and the University of Manitoba in a recent article titled “The changing hail threat over North America in response to […]
Read MoreForecasting Summer Weather on the Prairies
Forecasting Summer Weather on the Prairies Forecasting summer weather on the Prairies is one of the great challenges in meteorology. Summer weather is volatile, ranging from searing heat, to vicious storms, to cool outbreaks of polar air. Northern parts of the Prairies can be experiencing heavy snow, while southern parts experience hot and stormy weather. […]
Read More