Earth Changes
Broken branches, downed power lines, a thick blanket of slush and a wind chill that made temperatures feel like minus six welcomed Calgarians as they trudged into work this morning.
"The 23rd is the beginning of our usual frost-free period. Normally we're into no more snow, no more freezing temperatures," said Global TV weather expert Paul Dunphy. "But we do still get the occasional big blast of snow into May."
Wednesday revealed the first clear signs of the storm's impact -- flooded basements, clogged pathways and even rolled-up pavement.
The city, anticipating millions in repair costs for damage to roads, homes and other infrastructure, will look to the Alberta government for a financial bailout.
Several shelters operated by a national adoption organization called Pets Across America reported a 30 percent increase in intakes of cats and kittens from 2005 to 2006, and other shelters across the nation have reported similar spikes of stray, owned and feral cats.
The cause of this feline flood is an extended cat breeding season thanks to the world's warming temperatures, according to the group, which is one of the country's oldest and largest animal welfare organizations.
But as Gonu headed from Oman to the southeastern Iranian coast, it continued to lose steam, weakening to tropical storm strength, according to the U.S. military's Joint Typhoon Warning Center.
Oil analysts said the weakening storm's effect on the market was minimal.
Wind gusts over 100 mph were recorded Wednesday evening northwest of Berthoud. This is the equivalent of a Category Two Hurricane.
Townsville City Council produced several hundred beer stubby holders carrying slogans promoting local activities including "cane toad golf", as part of a recently launched advertising campaign.
The $270,000 campaign is designed to showcase "all the great things about Townsville and the people who live here", a council spokeswoman said.
Other slogans on the beer coolers include "cold beer on a hot summer's day" and "bagging a barra" (barramundi).
RSPCA Queensland spokesman Michael Beatty said the merchandise encourages animal cruelty.
Comment: Shockingly enough, not one cracked jet windshield was reported - hmmm - sort of throws a monkey wrench in the official explanation for the 13 cracked windshields on February 16th of this year. Go here for that story.