This is the first time, since I have been here in Ottawa, that I have seen a strong wind warning from the Environment Canada weather office website (below is a copy of the warning).
Warnings
Ottawa North - Kanata - Orléans
5:04 AM EDT Wednesday 11 March 2009
Wind warning for
Ottawa North - Kanata - Orléans continued
Strong winds today along a cold front.
This is a warning that damaging winds are imminent or occurring in these regions. Monitor weather conditions..Listen for updated statements.
An intense Colorado low pressure system with the centre just east of Lake Superior early this morning will continue to move towards James Bay. Heavy rain associated with this system has become light or moved out of southwestern Ontario.
A cold front associated with this weather system will cross southern Ontario today from west to east bringing strong winds in its wake.
The cold front will arrive over western regions early this morning with average winds increasing to 60 km/h. Along the front winds will gust to 90 km/h. A few locations near Lake Huron, Niagara and along eastern Lake Ontario will gust near 100 km/h. The cold front will move into eastern Ontario by noon. Note that temperatures will drop to below freezing behind the cold front.
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Now this is going to be a new experience for me. Freezing-cold temperatures with 90 km/h winds. Hmmm ... And I have to walk to School for a class this afternoon.
I've experienced strong (gale-force) winds in Australia before, but never with freezing conditions. Well, the 1999 Sydney Hailstorm was cold (and scary, I might add), but I don't remember the winds being all that strong.
