Record warmth blesses Manitoba/chills in New Brunswick

[tropicana]

Heat wave a blessing after summer of discontent


WED OCT 6th 2004

The season of extremes continues to surprise. Winnipeggers woke to frost on Monday when temperatures plummeted to -6 C (22F) , and then were treated to a balmy 25 C (77F) Wednesday.

And after going through the coldest summer on record, the autumn heat wave was savoured by many.
The patio at McNally Robinson's Prairie Ink Cafe was bustling with outdoor diners enjoying a hot lunch.

"We were supposed to take down the patio this week, but we'll probably hold off," said restaurant manager Michael Van Rooy, adding this was the first year for their outdoor eating area and the season was horrible.

Despite the poor season and early frost, Manitoba farmers are also thrilled by the surprise change in temperature.

'PERFECT HARVEST WEATHER'

"This is perfect harvest weather, and it's not too late as there are still crops on the field," said David Rolfe, president with Keystone Agricultural Producers and a farmer himself.

Rolfe and several other Manitoba farmers will be burning the midnight oil this week to finish harvesting.

Environment Canada said a winter cold front hasn't registered on their maps yet and the weather for Thanksgiving weekend looks promising.

"It should be warm right through to Sunday with not much in the way of precipitation," said Myles McIntosh, a meteorologist with Environment Canada.

Other record highs on the Prairies on Wednesday:-
Brandon Manitoba 27.9C (82F)
Dauphin Manitoba 28.0C (82F)

On the east coast, parts of the Maritimes shivered in record cold Wednesday.
Fredericton NB -4.9C (23F)
Moncton NB -3.8C ( 25F)
Saint John NB -4.3C (24F)
-justin-