Extreme Temperatures
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Snowflake Cold

150,000 customers without electricity in the Montreal area


cbc.ca
Mon, 05 Jan 2015 16:17 UTC
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© CBCA Hydro-Québec pole teeters as freezing rain casts the province in ice.
As of 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, more than 150,000 Hydro-Québec customers were without electricity on and around the island of Montreal after freezing rain encased southern Quebec in ice.

The power failures began on Sunday afternoon and affected small pockets around the greater Montreal region.

However, by late afternoon the blackouts were widespread across Montreal, the Montérégie (South Shore and areas west of the island of Montreal), the Richelieu Valley and elsewhere in southern Quebec.

Hydro-Québec spokeswoman Elaine Beaulieu said many of the power failures are due to fallen branches.

"Our crews are presently patrolling to find out where the power outages are and trying to restore the power as soon as possible. It's mainly due to the weather conditions," Beaulieu said.

Some Hydro poles and wires seemed to bow to the weight of the ice. Tree branches snapped and fell to the sidewalks and roads below in the Montreal region as the day wore on.

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Snowflake

Indo-Tibetan Border Police sound high alert after early heavy snowfall on Himalayan border


The Tribune (India)
Sat, 03 Jan 2015 20:21 UTC
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© Sanju PantHeavy snowfall at an ITBP camp on the China border in Pithoragarh.
The ITBP, which guards the high-altitude Himalayan border posts with China, has sounded a high alert as moderate to heavy snowfall has been reported in the region in the last 24 hours.

The snowfall continued in the higher reaches of this part of the Himalayas today, ITBP sources said here. "The snowfall has broken records of recent years. After 2005, dense snowfall used to occur in this part of the Himalayas after January 15, but this year it has started early," said Kedar Singh Rawat, an ITBP officer.

According to ITBP sources, while 120 cm snowfall was recorded at Joligkong Ridge, near the China border in the Vyans valley of Dharchula subdivision, the last border post at China border at Nabhidhang received 90 cm snowfall in the last 24 hours. "The snowfall, which started ahead of the Garbiyang post of the ITBP, witnessed 40 cm to 80 cm snowfall in the last 24 hours," said Rawat.

In Munsiyari, the peaks of Panchachuli, Rajrambha, Chiplakedar and Hansling received heavy snowfall in the last 24 hours. Weather Department sources said snowfall in higher reaches and rainfall in lower valleys would continue for the next 24 hours.
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Arrow Down

Pope embraces false prophets of doom - Why I'm disassociating myself from the Vatican and church

P Gosselin
NoTricksZone
Sun, 04 Jan 2015 18:59 UTC
Vatican
© NoTricksZone
I'm Catholic and this Sunday I'm announcing that I'm disassociating myself from the Vatican and its pope. I urge other skeptic Catholics to consider doing the same. This is not a step I've taken lightly.

I'll be opting out of Germany's Kirchensteuer (Church Tax) and will not attend any services in the future. With their latest planned encyclical they are indicating that they have shifted back to the Dark Ages of bad-weather witches, superstitions and Medieval indulgences. Worse, they are openly subscribing to nutty end-of-times theories.

This comes on the heels of a recent announcement that Pope Francis intends to issue an encyclical on climate change. I am not renouncing Catholicism, rather I am solely renouncing my recognition that the Vatican and Pope are the faith's administrator and moral compass. It's the last straw in an unending string of corruption, child sexual abuse and scandals that have raged within the Catholic Church in recent times.
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Snowflake Cold

Brutal arctic cold to blast Midwest and East U.S.

Alex Sosnowski
Accuweather
Sat, 03 Jan 2015 17:17 UTC
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In a pattern fitting for January, waves of cold air will flow into the Midwest and East with brutal blasts of arctic air poised to sweep southeastward next week.

Following a large storm that bring snow and ice to a large part of the Upper Midwest and interior Northeast this weekend, multiple blasts of cold air will follow.

The first blast will have many people shivering as they head back to work and school in the Midwest early next week.

Another batch of arctic air set to move during the middle to second half of next week is likely to bring the lowest temperatures of the season so far to parts of the Midwest and much of New England and the mid-Atlantic.

With the frigid air moving in, temperatures may hold in the single digits around Chicago and the teens around Chicago or lower on multiple days next week.
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It is possible temperatures fail to climb above zero F on one or more days in northern New England. Highs may be in the single digits across upstate New York and central New England with night time lows well below zero.

Highs will be in the 20s on multiple days from Boston to New York City and Philadelphia. Atlanta is likely to have highs in the 40s most days next week, despite sunshine.

Gusty winds accompanying the arctic outbreaks will produce much lower AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures. Because of this the air will be beyond painful, reaching dangerous and life-threatening levels in much of the Midwest and Northeast for those who spend a significant amount of time outdoors without proper protection.

Comment: See: Feeling chilly? It's good for you!

See also the thread on our forum on cold therapy.

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Snowflake

Freezing temperatures and snow in Greece, Turkey and the Balkans

Everton Fox
Al Jazeera
Wed, 31 Dec 2014 14:45 UTC
greek snow
Icy weather and heavy snowfall has hit a large part of Greece, resulting in many roads closing in northern and central Greece, as well as near the capital.
Cold air has made its way across much of Europe over the past week bringing snow to many parts. The snow was probably most welcome when it made its way across the Alps, finally allowing the long awaited ski-season there to get underway.

The wintry weather has since dug further south. It now extends across the Balkans into Greece, Turkey and the Hungarian Plain.

There has been widespread travel disruption in Greece with snow forcing the closure of several roads, especially in the north and over the central mountains. Athens hasn't been as badly affected, but there has been a healthy dusting of snow across the nation's capital.

Comment:

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Ice Cube

Death toll now exceeds 150 in India cold wave


DPA International
Wed, 31 Dec 2014 06:11 UTC
cold_new delhi
© Money Sharma, EPA
New Delhi - More than 150 people have died in a cold wave sweeping across northern and eastern India and dense fog disrupted air and rail services, reports said Tuesday.

Sixteen more people died in intense cold or fog-related accidents in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh on Monday, taking the region's death toll for the month to 140, the Times of India said.

Temperatures reached a low of 0.5 degrees Celsius in the state's Sonbhadra district.

Twelve more cold-related deaths were reported from the eastern state of Bihar, national capital Delhi and neighbouring Haryana state, reports said.

Thick fog at the Delhi airport led to delays of about 100 flights and cancellations of 16 more, broadcaster NDTV reported. About 100 trains were running late due to low visibility.

Winters in India are brief, beginning in December and ending by February, but cause many deaths in the country that is better prepared for its long, hot summers.
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Ice Cube

New Year's Eve temperatures to drop below freezing for majority of U.S.

Brian Lada
AccuWeather
Tue, 30 Dec 2014 14:28 UTC
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Those headed out to celebrate New Year's Eve may want to bundle up as arctic air affects much of the nation. The worst of the cold will focus on the Rocky Mountains and northern Plains, but temperatures are forecast to dip below freezing across a majority of the nation on Wednesday night.

"Temperatures will plunge well below zero from portions of the Dakotas and northern Minnesota at night through the end of 2014," said AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski. AccuWeather.com RealFeel® Temperatures will be even lower, dropping below zero in cities such as Denver and Chicago.

Florida will be one of the only spots in the entire country to evade the freezing weather with lows in the 60s in Orlando and Miami. Folks headed to outdoor venues to ring in the new year, such as Times Square in New York City, will want to dress warm to stay protected from the cold weather.

Comment: Cold yet?
Temperature map 12/31/14:
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Snowflake Cold

Over 130 people die from cold snap in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh


Press TV
Mon, 29 Dec 2014 14:55 UTC
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© Gulf Times
The death toll of a cold spell in northern and eastern India has reportedly exceeded 130.The cold snap in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh has disrupted rail and air transportation, media reported on Monday.

However, Uttar Pradesh Secretary and Relief Commissioner Leena Johri has not confirmed the number of fatalities. Citing authorities, Johri said there has been no report of death due to cold wave.

Meanwhile, Delhi-based All India Radio (AIR) reported that severe cold weather and fog has caused accidents which claimed the lives of 25 people in Uttar Pradesh during the weekend.

In the National Capital Territory of Delhi, as well as neighboring northern state of Haryana, and Bihar, a state in east India, 12 cold-related deaths were reported.

Foggy conditions caused serious disruption in air and rail transportation.

Some 137 flights were delayed and 14 more canceled at Delhi airport. The fog and low visibility have caused delays in 78 train departures as well.

The potentially deadly winters in India are short and last only from December to February.

Comment: The death toll in India has now exceeded 150.

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Snowflake

Possible snow in Phoenix? Winter storm snow levels could fall to 2,000 feet

Catherine Holland
AZFamily.com
Tue, 30 Dec 2014 17:18 UTC

A cold winter storm is bearing down on Arizona, which means possible rain for the Phoenix metro area and snow in the high country. The system will bring some "bitterly cold" air down from the northwest, according to 3TV meteorologist April Warnecke. It also will pick up some moisture as it heads our way. The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings for much of the state beginning tonight and running into late Thursday.

Rain could start in the Valley Wednesday morning. Snow could start in the high country as early as Tuesday night. According to the National Weather Service, widespread snow will increase from west to east across northern Arizona on Wednesday, with the heaviest snowfall expected Wednesday evening.

Snow levels could fall to 2,000 feet and a dusting is still possible Thursday morning in those higher elevations near the Valley like Cave Creek and Wickenburg.

Comment: Rare snow to fall on Las Vegas, Mohave Desert New Year's Eve

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Snowflake Cold

'Unusually cold storm' to bring snow, rain and a freeze through most of California and the Desert Southwest

Alex Sosnowski
AccuWeather
Tue, 30 Dec 2014 17:07 UTC
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A storm and cold air forecast to develop at the end of 2014 and linger into the start of 2015 will deliver snow, rain and a frost or freeze to portions of California. The coldest air of the winter months so far will settle over California during the middle and latter part of this week.

At the same time, a storm will form nearby and bring snow and slippery travel to the passes and high deserts of California. While temperatures are not forecast to drop to record-low territory for much of the state, the air will get cold enough long enough to bring a frost and freeze to the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys, as well as part of the central coast of California.

Comment: For more information, see SOTT's November video on Earth Changes, see: SOTT Earth Changes Video Summary - November 2014

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