We’re starting to return to more seasonal weather this week. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but we need a couple of weeks of very cold weather. I’m looking forward to walking on the ice instead of “schlepping” it down snowmobile trails that hug the beach.
Late this week we had one of the larger lake effect snow events I’ve seen since we moved to the beach over five years ago. You couldn’t really call it a winter storm since most of the province was unaffected. We had a lot of localized snow bands coming off Georgian Bay. Apparently forecasting the weather is just about impossible with these snow squalls.
Sunday, January 17th, 2021 – Above freezing temperatures thawing the sidewalk just west of beach one – it makes for treacherous footing!Monday, January 18th, 2021 – heading towards the provincial park at the west end of the boardwalk to get out of the wind on my hike back to 18th street.
The set of four pictures below require a short explanation. We often joke that if you don’t like the weather, wait 10 minutes and it will change. The four pictures below were all taken during my one hour walk at noon on January 19th. Weather ranged from clear skies to near white-out conditions.
Tuesday, January 19th, 2021 – As I entered the beach near 18th street looking west towards Blue Mountain – we’re in the midst of a snow squall band.Tuesday, January 19th, 2021 – On the way to beach one heading east – you can see another snow squall band on the horizon.Tuesday, January 19th, 2021 – Looking northwest between squalls.Tuesday, January 19th, 2021 – A few minutes later the sun was out briefly as I turned around at beach one and started heading west.Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 – I’m not sure if there is really poison ivy along this part of the shore, but I suspect this is a great deterrent keeping people off their property in the summer! You can see the damage that record high water has done to the shore line.Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 – Walking back to my truck at 18th street along Shore Lane among “ginormous” snow flakes as lake effect snow continues for a second day.Thursday, January 21st, 2021 – Looking towards the Blue Mountains on a window day taken near beach 3 on a warm day around noon.Friday, January 22nd, 2021 – Looking east towards beach one near 18th street after some fresh snow. Warm again today, hovering near freezing.
On Friday afternoon, the lake-effect snow churned into full gear and we had a tremendous about of snow. We received about a foot of fresh snow over night and another 6-8″ during the day Saturday. Luckily the snow was light owing to the cold temperatures.
Saturday, January 23rd, 2021 – Looking south off our back deck early Saturday morning. Incredibly, we received another 6 inches of snow after this picture was taken.Saturday, January 23rd, 2021 – We don’t have a parking spot in the garage for my son, so he was forced to park outside. The view out our garage door as I fired up the snow blower to clear the driveway for the first time.Saturday, January 23rd, 2021 – I headed down the beach for my walk and it was a serious challenge. This picture taken at my regular entrance to the beach at the Bungalows on the Beach cottages at 18th street.Saturday, January 23rd, 2021 – Looking east across the beach from near 18th street – There were no snowmobile tracks yet. I spoke to a snowmobiler and they were having trouble spotting where the concrete barriers were given the deep fluffy snow and were concerned about damage.Saturday, January 23rd, 2021 – I blazed a trail down to the beach. Easily two feet or more of snow. Luckily it was very light.Saturday, January 23rd, 2021 – I ended up walking down Shore Lane instead parallel to the beach. This is Shore Lane around 1:00PM on Saturday. The snowplow has not made it to the side streets so I’m following the snowmobile tracks. I ended up driving my truck down the same tracks to get home.Saturday, January 23rd, 2021 – This picture of Ben’s car taken around 1:00pm shows the amount of snow. I finished clearing the driveway around 9:30 AM. The approximately 2 foot high barrier around the car is where I walked the snow blower around the car. Three hours later we had another 6-8″ of snow and I needed to clear the driveway again.Saturday, January 23rd, 2021 – Taken around 9:00 AM Saturday morning creating a trail to our front door.Saturday, January 23rd, 2021 – Kids were having a ball up the road at William Arnell park sliding down the hill. This is a favorite sliding hill for locals.Saturday, January 23rd, 2021 – Looking south from our front yard as another squall comes through early afternoon on Saturday.Saturday, January 23rd, 2021 – Looking out our front porch before clearing the driveway a second time.
