Remarkable microclimates

[Paul Ont]

I was just looking back through the weather so far this year, and wondering how it was possible that we still have blooming Clematis and Mandevilla here (downtown T.O.) despite the fact that there have been several frosts and even a few freezes... Well here's the 'fall' weather to date for downtown (USDA z6):
Min temp: 0.1 °C
Min Temp. Date: Nov.3 2010

and the airport (USDA 5b):
Min temp: -0.3 °C
Min Temp. Date: Nov.1 2010

and Barrie (~70km north of the city, still on a lake though; USDA zone 5a):
Min temp: -5.5 °C
Min Temp. Date: Nov.2 2010

There is a noticeable difference too; almost nothing is still blooming in the north-end, while in the south (near the lake) there are still many blooms...

FYI, my garden, (north-east of here, USDA 4b/5a) has hit something like -5C, but the nearest weather station, Grenadier Island (south of downtown Kingston) has hit:
Min temp: -2.5 °C
Min Temp. Date: Nov.2 2010

Pics of the remaining blooms soon!

[Cowtown Palm Society]

Sure, rub it in Paul , .!

It's amazing the moderating influence of large bodies of water isn't it? I always figure those Trachys on English Bay, in Vancouver, for example are way better off than plants further inland...in the winter, that is. They likely miss out on inland heat, in the summer...but I don't think Trachys like anything much above 30c for too long, anyhow. The ones I see in Vegas, for example, look wretched in the summer . I remember a couple of winters ago YVR hit like -15c. I'm sure the palms on English Bay were at least 5c warmer.

Enjoy the gentle fall!

Duncan

[TimMAz6]

I still have a few flowers on a snapdragon...........low of -7.7C (18F). Neighbor purchased a couple 30 gallon Pygmy date palms last spring and placed them by the pool......those are toasted already. Snapdragons are really nice fall blooming plants and can take the cold!

Duncan...........you're way too cold!!!!!!!!!

[Cowtown Palm Society]

It's sick and wrong Tim .

[Paul Ont]

I can't help but think that we're going to pay for this fall later on... Not often that we enjoy Geraniums etc. this late. It's especially strange since the average low is now well below freezing.

Here's the 14 day, trending toward 'normal' http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/caon1761

To make it look better, here is the forecast for Sydenham (my garden):
http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/city/pag ... ric_e.html

And the one for T.O.:
http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/city/pag ... ric_e.html

Tim- I'm suprized that you've been so cold already. It's been warmer than normal (again) here.

Duncan- I just saw that Calgary was -18C and Edmonton -19C. The weather there blows my mind!

[Cowtown Palm Society]