The coldest week of winter and a snowy weekend

Monday

 Forecasts are predicting the coldest week of this winter. It's been milder than normal up to now. Today is -40c in Calgary,  but +3 in Parksville when I drove into town this morning for some errands. 

The view of the snow capped peak of Mount Arrowsmith set against the clear blue sky was spectacular, I had to stop and take a photo.  

Also, colourful spring flowers have arrived in the supermarkets, so uplifting to see them outside in the morning sun.  Helps to remind you that despite a frigid forecast we have almost put winter behind us. Almost. But by Thursday it could be anywhere from  3 to -6c, so I hope they take the blooms inside! 

I sat outside this afternoon with my book and a cup of tea. I even fell asleep for a while in the warm sun, and I do believe I had a very mild case of sunstroke. The air was crystal clear and the sun piercing. 

Martin took a photo this past weekend of the beach at Departure Bay in Nanaimo just south of Parksville where he's currently spending winter with his partner Juni.  His phone camera is much better then mine!

Wednesday 

Well, the sun was still around yesterday afternoon. Had another chance to sit out in the porch with a cup of tea, but today is much colder with a low last night  of -3 and a high of about 1.5.  It's also grey and there are light snow flurries. 

But nothing like the -40c other areas of BC are experiencing. 

In the afternoon a steady flurry was sufficient to put some white fluff on my grasses. But, I see some daffodil flowers starting to form! 

Thursday 

We didn't see anything like the -9 temperatures that were originally forecast for last night.  But it did drop  to about -3.5c in the early morning hours. 

The meteorologists are getting excited, the high pressure that is pushing the cold Arctic air south into BC  is going to meet a warm, wet, low pressure area coming from the pacific and the battle ground will be over Vancouver Island. They're calling this one the Clash of Titans.  Snow is forecast for Friday night into Saturday!  Everyone is excited and anxious. 

The weekend 

Well, the snow arrived as forecast on Friday night. I'd say about 3 inches judging from the snow covered patio table.  The temperatures did get milder though. 

What a difference a few days make to my pots, and daffodils, now buried. 

Beautiful quality of light with white all around and the pale sun pushing through. 

Martin and Juni shovelled the drive and then walked to the farm to buy milk eggs and cheese, taking the snow covered railway track route.  Here are their photos:

And at the end of the day, Martin took this last view of the sunset, because, guess what! Another snow fall projected for overnight tonight and you can see the signs in the photo below, high cirrus cloud on the top right indicates the forefront of the storm. 

Sunday

To wrap up the week, the snow this morning was a light dusting and rain due tomorrow so the white stuff will disappear quickly.