Kyle Thomas

The Website of Kyle Thomas (KyleWith)

Fort St John Summer in one Weekend

Well I know summer is far from over, but it feels like I have experienced the whole thing in one weekend. It felt surreal actually to feel the warmth of the sun in only mid may.

The Weather

The weather here in Fort St John was amazing this weekend. Clear blue skies with a hot sun beating down the whole weekend. 20+ degrees making it feel like it was the middle of July. I still can’t believe it is that warm in the middle of May.

The Air

As per a usual summer, smoke could be smelt in the air. Either winds from fires in Salve Lake or just general burn areas have blown into town. This smell is much sooner in the season that normal. I’m use to fire smoke blowing across Great Slave Lake from southern NWT and Alberta, about mid summer.

The Attire

Just wandering around town people could be seen in shorts, tan tops and the dreadful flip flops. Myself, I rarely wear short, but I had to today. I just could no longer bare the heat. I suppose the sweaters, flannel and jeans might have to go away for a while.

I don’t know if summer is officially hear, or if this is just a glimpse and it will cool down again, but after a long winter we should embrace it.

Photo May 15 6 57 39 PM

Photo May 15 6 59 06 PM

Spring has not sprung

Well I guess spring has sprung. As I drove home this evening it started to snow.
This is disappointing because I really wanted to get my bike. But I think it will be warm enough tomorrow that will be melted.
Such a buzz kill really, after such a nice day today I really didn’t want to see the snow.

Has Spring Finally Sprung?

As I do most weekdays I am sitting in front of the big window in the living room of the house I live in, staring out of it. The sun doesn’t actually shine in, in the morning as it is rises on the other side of the house, but I can still see it strong morning reflection on the houses across the street.

When I arrived back to Fort St John after my short trip to Yellowknife the weather was miserable. There were one or two days when I first got back that were pleasant, but then things turned. It started to snow, and snow a lot. Fort St John ended up break snow fall records for certain days.

The worst part was that things were still reletvely wet. So the snow would come down and then slow melt. Which make streets a mess, our gravel/dirt driveway a mud puddle, but also made for slick road condition.

There were several delays on the Alaska Highway around town with vehicles that had gone into the ditch and what not. One case even of a bulldozer tipping off its flatbed trailer north of Fort St John. Having had to travel back from Fort Nelson last Thursday while it was white out conditions, I now know why there are so many collisions.

That might all be over now though and spring might just stick around. As I mentioned it is currently blue skies with the sun gleaming down. Most of the roads are even dry now. I could possible get one of my bikes out and ride it to work.

Before we rejoice to much though, we must brace ourselves for the week of rain the forecast is calling for starting Sunday, April 24. Although it means getting wet, it will be a good thing to get rid of any snow left and to also get rid of any dirt and dust that might have accumulated.

In all I think it is going to be a good week.

Fort St John Sunrise in the Fieldphoto © 2009 Ryan Clare | more info (via: Wylio)

Fort St John’s April Snow

I can’t say I really remember the last time I saw snow coming down so much so fast. It is as if there is a curtain of white fluffy stuff outside and I can barely see my neighbours across the street.

When I got back to Fort St John the other day it was beautiful. The sun was shining and it was warm. The other thing I noticed was how much snow had disappeared in the week I had been gone. 10 foot snow piles where virtually nothing.

The temperature at 7:30am is already hoovering around 0, so I don’t think this snow will stay snow much longer before it turns to rain. I am a little concerned though, judging by the forecast we may be getting even more snow at the end of this week.

I must say I’m not sure if I rather all this snow of the -27 and sunshine Yellowknife is receiving today.

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British Columbia and their Winter Weather

I like it here in Northern BC, it is really like a less-harsh version of a Yellowknife Winter. They get the snow, the dry days, the clear skies and some of the temperatures. Yes only some of the temperatures. Fort St Johners, in my books, you got it good, so don’t complain. I do suppose it is what you are use to though.

On average I would say Fort St John and the rest of Northern BC is about 10 degrees warmer than the Yellowknife temperatures I have experienced. Right now in Fort St John it is -24°C, which to anyone in Yellowknife sounds pleasant and enjoyable, but not to the people here. Apparently these are the cold temperatures. That’s not the only thing which bugs me.

Lets talk about our little friend the Wind Chill. The Wind Chill does not determine the weather. Yes I agree the wind can be a b!tch, but dress properly than. The Wind Chill will only affect exposed skin, so wear a jack that wind proof and a toque. And since we are on the topic, lets talk about vehicles in the winter.

Turns out the Wind Chill doesn’t affect a vehicle, at all! Vehicles also don’t really need to be plugged in until at least -20°C and I have proof, it is called Yellowknife being below 0 for 6 months at a time. Plugging you car in at -10°C will just waste you energy. I don’t even have a powered parking spot and I have yet to have a problem, although admittedly it is getting colder out and I can tell it is harder to turn over. Same goes to you desiel truck boys, they don’t need to idle all night in -15°C.

Wind Chill

I am crazy yes, and this is a rant of sort, but I don’t think many people are aware of some of these things, or just are not prepared to live in the area.