Snows head for Alberta Canada

[tropicana]

CALGARY PREPARES FOR SNOW

Sat Oct 16th 2004
City snowplows are poised for action as forecasters predict wintry weather in Calgary this weekend. And police are asking for the same alertness from motorists.

Environment Canada is predicting a snowfall of up to 10 cm today and tomorrow(Sunday), thanks to a low-pressure system moving southeast that dumped snow on northern Alberta yesterday.

"Based on the forecast we have, we're planning to be at a Level 2 (of five levels with Level 5 being the highest alert), so (today) we'll have 36 trucks on the road and about 52 staff who can be called in earlier if our snow comes in earlier than expected," said city operations engineer Bill Biensch.

The mercury today is expected to hit 4C 39F but could fall as low as -6C 22F tonight and -7C 19F Sunday.

Police are asking drivers to be prepared.

"We'd like to remind them to take a little extra time and exercise caution while negotiating their way around the city," said Insp. Tom Marriott.


-justin-

[tropicana]

Calgary dodges winter's fury

Calgary, Sun Oct 17th 2004

There's no sign of a true winter wonderland yet, say forecasters who are predicting only 2 cm of snow will greet Calgarians Sunday morning. But bridge decks, off ramps and Deerfoot Tr. quickly became skating rinks as the temperature dropped, along with the snow.

And while Calgary isn't setting into a deep freeze yet, blustery winds, a chance of flurries and a high of only -4C 25F are expected Sunday.

Despite the lack of accumulation, Environment Canada meteorologist Sandra Massey says winter still isn't too far away.

"We can expect snow almost any time of the year in Calgary," she said.

That was definitely apparent in Edmonton, where snow was piled ankle-deep Saturday.

IT'S NO JOKE IN EDMONTON
Edmonton, Sun Oct 17th 2004

If you woke up Saturday morning and were surprised to see a blizzard outside your window, chances are you're from out of town. Edmonton weathered its annual October snowstorm with a happy lack of chaos Saturday.

Traffic smash-ups numbered roughly half a dozen by Saturday afternoon, and hadn't resulted in critical injuries or deaths.

"Frankly, we're relieved this hit on a weekend. It gives people a couple of days to get used to it before they go back to work," said Shawna Randolph, spokesman for the city's transportation and streets department.

And you'll have to get used to it - because it's not leaving in a hurry. A low pressure system about the size of France has parked itself over most of Alberta and is very slowly moving south.

"It's snowing over most of the province, but it's intermittent from Red Deer south," said Environment Canada meteorologist Rick Walls.

"The snow should taper off by (this morning), but the accumulation's probably going to be close to 20 centimetres."

The forecast into Wednesday calls for scattered flurries and temperatures hovering right around zero. (32F)

-justin-

[Wnghs2007]

WOw. Well you can expect stuff like that up there.

[deguy50]

that cold and snow will come south this winter

[Wnghs2007]

that cold and snow will come south this winter

I like the way you think....hehe..

[yoda]

Sorry KC, no snow for you.

[The Big Dog]

Geez... what are they gonna do up there this winter without hockey?

[CaptinCrunch]

They still have hockey, it's just IHL and not NHL.

[Wnghs2007]

They still have hockey, it's just IHL and not NHL.

So they did decided to stop the 2005 season on strike?

[The Big Dog]

They still have hockey, it's just IHL and not NHL.

So they did decided to stop the 2005 season on strike?

Neither side is talking to the other, and the players seem content to go to Europe for the winter. I'd be surprised if they settled it this season.

[Wnghs2007]

They still have hockey, it's just IHL and not NHL.

So they did decided to stop the 2005 season on strike?

Neither side is talking to the other, and the players seem content to go to Europe for the winter. I'd be surprised if they settled it this season.

Darn Oh well I thought this would be the year Atlanta would win it.

[Wnghs2007]

Sorry KC, no snow for you.

Hey Boy. Watch you mouth.

[The Big Dog]

They still have hockey, it's just IHL and not NHL.

So they did decided to stop the 2005 season on strike?

Neither side is talking to the other, and the players seem content to go to Europe for the winter. I'd be surprised if they settled it this season.

Darn Oh well I thought this would be the year Atlanta would win it.

Well, the team that used to be in Atlanta almost won it last year. Does that count at all?

[Wnghs2007]

They still have hockey, it's just IHL and not NHL.

So they did decided to stop the 2005 season on strike?

Neither side is talking to the other, and the players seem content to go to Europe for the winter. I'd be surprised if they settled it this season.

Darn Oh well I thought this would be the year Atlanta would win it.

Well, the team that used to be in Atlanta almost won it last year. Does that count at all?

Well yeah. i guess it does. The flames I think should of won. But oh well. Hehe.

[gunner1551]

Ya it sucks up here with no hockey!! But when the lake freezes up in my backyard in about 1 month we can still play hockey. Theres still AHL on the TV but its not the same.


End the strike!!!!!

[tropicana]

Yeah the NHL isn't really on *strike* ... it's being called a lockout. That means they have locked out the players and cancelled all games at least through Dec 3rd. (at least)

But for the 2004-2005 season to be salvaged, albeit in a shortened form, they would have to resume playing hockey by January at the latest. But authorities of stadiums that hold the hockey games need at least 40 days notice for future games to book it etc, 'cause most venues have already been booked out 'cause after all the stadiums need to make money. Like in Toronto today, the Air Canada Center is having a free public skate all day til 9pm tonight.

Therefore...the absolute latest it is thought for a solution to be reached is Dec 16th, which at this point doesnt seem likely, since no talks have taken place in weeks, and none are scheduled.

Here in Toronto, at least we have the AHL and the OHL, and we have tons of other sports to look forward to.

But we miss hockey
The major newspapers here (Toronto Star, Globe & Mail) have even resorted to VIRTUAL HOCKEY in their sports sections, where they give full news on games which were scheduled for the Maple Leafs had they been played. Kinda silly really, but hey, it keeps us happy.

-justin-

[The Big Dog]

This is serious... much more serious than '95. Back then, the owners basically gave in to the players' demands. It looks much more ominous this time. The owners are digging in, and I have a feeling it's going to be a long, cold winter (or two) up north.

But it's not all the players' fault. The owners can blame themselves for expanding too fast and into questionable areas of the country that may not support hockey in the long run. Sure, the Panthers packed the arena the year they played for the Cup, but now it's half empty unless the Rangers are in town, and then it might as well be a Rangers home game. Will Tampa be good long enough to sustain hockey? How about Atlanta and Dallas and Phoenix and Charlotte and Nashville?

Places with no hockey roots will support their teams only as long as they are decent, but these aren't cities where 8-year-old kids lace up their skates when the lake freezes over. The NHL has expanded into the dubious South at the expense of places and fans that truly supported hockey, like Winnipeg and Quebec City. Calgary and Edmonton have been on life support for years. Let's move them to New Orleans and Orlando.

I'm afraid that hockey in the South is more of a fad, and they are looking at major, major problems in the near future. Contraction at the very least, or some other extensive reorganization of the league. I hope NASCAR is watching this closely.

[gboudx]

There are no issues with the Dallas area supporting the Stars. Ice hockey is starting to become a competitive sport in some of the local high schools.