Weather

Throughout the south, central and eastern regions, a long dry period during the first half of the summer seriously affected regional yields of forage crops and stunted corn crops. But the drought took an even higher toll south of the border

by HENRY HENGEVELD

This past summer in Ontario has been a cottager’s dream – warm, dry, lots of sun!   

Not so for many of Ontario’s farmers. The high-degree days and sunshine have, of course, been a boon. However, between the damaging frosts in mid-spring that killed off most of the fruit tree blossoms in southern Ontario and the relatively scarce and spotty rain during both spring and summer, crops across much of the province have been hit hard. As farmers know only too well, drought trumps heat.

Insurance industry losses due to natural and weather-related disasters are behind the increases we are seeing in insurance premiums. And insurers are concerned that warmer global climates may be one of the contributing factors

by HENRY HENGEVELD

In 2011, the premium for my property insurance increased by 17 per cent. Not one to make waves, I paid without complaint. However, when the invoice for my annual insurance premium that arrived in the mail this spring showed another large increase, I decided it was time to ask some questions. Why, I asked my agent, did the premiums increase by 35 per cent over two years when there had been no change in coverage and no claims. It’s the weather, she replied!

Municipalities saved millions on snow removal costs, home heating costs were low and severe weather warnings were rare. But expect more insects and pests this spring and lower water levels in our lakes, ponds and streams

by HENRY HENGEVELD

Most of farmland Ontario has just undergone one of its warmest December-to-February winter seasons on record. Perhaps even more significant, preliminary data released by Environment Canada indicate that much of southern Ontario set new records for the least amount of snowfall during those three months.  Meanwhile, much of Europe has been freezing. What gives?

With extreme precipitation conditions covering both ends of the spectrum, and conditions varying by region, last year meant a delayed but abundant harvest for some, total crop failure for others

by HENRY HENGEVELD

Most Canadian farmers will likely remember 2011 as a year of precipitation extremes. First, a spring that was much too wet, then a mid-summer that was very dry, followed by a wet and warm autumn. For those in the right places and with the right crops, this resulted in a delayed but abundant harvest. For others, it meant total crop failure.

Since its founding in 1871, our national weather service has grown to be the authoritative source for the weather information upon which most of us rely each day

by HENRY HENGEVELD

This past summer, Canada’s weather service – one of the oldest public service institutions in Canada – celebrated its 140th anniversary.

Although systematic weather data had already been recorded by research staff at the Toronto Observatory (located at the University of Toronto) since 1840, our national weather service officially began in 1871. Canada was only five years old at the time, and Sir John A. MacDonald was still our Prime Minister.