Summer Snowmageddon 2014 (split from Weather)

[Regulator75]

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by Acey

Forgive my ignorance, but has this particularly devastating to the trees because they still have all their foliage on them so they can't take the extra weight?

That's the major issue. I think the secondary issue is that sudden drops in temperature within a tree can kill tissue. Trees in our climate naturally harden themselves in preparation for winter, but when we go from warm weather to caked-on ice in a matter of hours, it's probably devastating for young limbs.

I'm very curious to see what trees weather this best. Mature poplar, elm, and manitoba maple have all been pretty hard-hit from what I've seen. Anything with a 'weeping' shape seems to be doing pretty well since their branches are already shaped downward. Also I've seen several mountain ash that are holding a lot of snow without signs of breaking. Columnular and towering trees are completely distorted but it's hard to tell if they're going to bounce back from that.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by AcGold

for a solid day it was snowing up here while my girlfriend was working at a golf course in the southeast. I woke up to a snowstorm and she said there was nothing so atleast for a little while it was worse up here.

Maybe your girlfriend is blind. I live in the deep SW, I take Stoney all the way around the city (through the SE) to the NW every single day. And it's been snowing everywhere.

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by Acey

Forgive my ignorance, but has this particularly devastating to the trees because they still have all their foliage on them so they can't take the extra weight?

Look at your hand, now spread you fingers as wide as you can. Now imagine how much snow would get held up if you dumped snow on them. Not much. This is like deciduous trees in the winter.

Now, put a piece of paper over your spread fingers and see how much snow gets stuck on top now. Orders of magnitude more. This is whats happening. The foliage creates great "shelves" to stack snow on.

The trees that survived the best are immature ones as they're able to bend enough so that the snow will fall off. The mature ones break before they can shed the snow.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Yeah I know about that.

The comment was directed at the calling in of the forces for this weather event........

We aren't Toronto

[Regular_John]

My wife is at home and it sounds like the power has been out since around 12:30, looks like I might be diving into the camping gear to set up the propane stove outside this evening to cook up some grub if Enmax doesn't get it fixed by dinner time.

[Julio]

One good sign for folks driving home tonight, roads should be bare...also, at least in the inner city, the snow has melted off of the trees, limiting the damage to what has already happened.

[calumniate]

Originally Posted by octothorp

That's the major issue. I think the secondary issue is that sudden drops in temperature within a tree can kill tissue. Trees in our climate naturally harden themselves in preparation for winter, but when we go from warm weather to caked-on ice in a matter of hours, it's probably devastating for young limbs.

I'm very curious to see what trees weather this best. Mature poplar, elm, and manitoba maple have all been pretty hard-hit from what I've seen. Anything with a 'weeping' shape seems to be doing pretty well since their branches are already shaped downward. Also I've seen several mountain ash that are holding a lot of snow without signs of breaking. Columnular and towering trees are completely distorted but it's hard to tell if they're going to bounce back from that.

Mountain ash can have a hard time when they're loaded up with berries on them. And if they do go they can even split down the middle

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by jaydorn

My wife is at home and it sounds like the power has been out since around 12:30, looks like I might be diving into the camping gear to set up the propane stove outside this evening to cook up some grub if Enmax doesn't get it fixed by dinner time.

I was told our power flickered on for about 2 seconds earlier this afternoon but it is still off. I knew it was a bad idea to move to the NW.

[Madman]

It was calm and nice-ish downtown for a while, but now the snow is back and just as bad.

[4X4]

I guess I'm not allowed to post in the power ring for friends, but I am allowed to post in relevant threads that I know a very good arbourist that gives great rates. PM me if you'd like contact info.

[Barnes]

Just took down a 25+ year old ash in my parents yard. They're away in Europe. We planted it when we moved to Calgary. I don't think I'm going to tell them.

[AcGold]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Maybe your girlfriend is blind. I live in the deep SW, I take Stoney all the way around the city (through the SE) to the NW every single day. And it's been snowing everywhere.

or you know, you lived in the deep southwest when it wasn't snowing and it was snowing up here. Whatever, reality sides with golf courses being open while it was snowing up here.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by AcGold

or you know, you lived in the deep southwest when it wasn't snowing and it was snowing up here. Whatever, reality sides with golf courses being open while it was snowing up here.

Okay well 4x4 lives in the SW and I live in the SE. It's been snowing in the south side of Calgary and the north side since Monday. You said it's been snowing two days longer in the north, which means it was snowing on Saturday somehow even though it was 27 degrees.

You know, it's okay just to admit you made a mistake. It's just weird that you're trying to convince us it was snowing two days longer in the north when everybody knows that isn't true.

[AcGold]

Well it was snowing here when it wasn't in the south, admit a mistake when you are being equally bullheaded? Nope, goes both ways.

[V]

I swear, there were at least 5 minutes where it was snowing up north before the golf courses shut down. Admit it.

[Regular_John]

Word is power is back up in Canyon Meadows. Might just avoid cooking in the rain.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

This could be considered as a full-blown natural disaster (not sure if there is an official, federal government approved definition of the term). Mel Lastman would not have hesitated to call on armed forces for help. Is Nenshi considering anything like that? There is significant damage throughout the city.

It was enough to activate the Emergency Operations Centre which triggers a fully coordinated response across the relevant departments and services. That has been in force since yesterday afternoon. You'll notice that the Mayor is briefing from the EOC.

[bossy22]

Originally Posted by Bunk

It was enough to activate the Emergency Operations Centre which triggers a fully coordinated response across the relevant departments and services. That has been in force since yesterday afternoon. You'll notice that the Mayor is briefing from the EOC.

My buddy who works at the EOC put in a 23 hr shift and had a couple hr nap before going back at it.

[InglewoodFan]

We just got our power back after 13 hours. Not a big deal, fireplace kept the house warm enough.

One of our favourite things about our 50 yr old neighborhood is the beautiful tree canopy. Walking the dogs tonight was just heartbreaking. So many beautiful trees busted up. Elms took it hard. Most of the mountain ash are ok. Saw a lovely pear tree down the street just flattened.

My manitoba maple is toast. It was on its way out, but now I've got a ton of cleanup. Already did a couple of hours, probably six more to go. Just a mess. Oh, and a mid sized limb from the neighbor's tree on my roof.