It’s been a while since I blogged about anything of significance. The weather in Ottawa is going to be rather exciting over the next day or two.

TAF CYOW 170240Z 1703/1724 07010KT P6SM BKN140
FM170600 07012KT 1 1/2SM -SN OVC025
FM170800 06015KT 3/4SM -SN VV007
FM171300 06015G25KT 1/4SM +SN VV005 PROB40 1713/1716 1/8SM +SN
BLSN
FM171600 01012KT 1SM -SN OVC008
FM172100 32012KT 2SM -SN OVC010
RMK NXT FCST BY 170600Z

In simple terms, this TAF basically says that Ottawa is going to get snow. A lot of snow. Starting at about 01:00, or in about three hours’ time from now.

Looking at the various models, it looks like the peak is going to be between about 08:30 and 11:00, which is consistent with the bolded line above, which says that from 1300Z (08:00 Eastern) the wind will be 15 knots gusting to 25 knots from the east-northeast. The visibility is forecast to be about a quarter of a mile with a vertical viability of 500′ and heavy snow. And there’s a 40% probability between 1300Z and 1600Z (11:00 Eastern) that the visibility will drop to an eighth of a mile with heavy snow and blowing snow.

As we enter the third year of the COVID pandemic, I want to wish everyone a safe and healthy 2022. May we all see all our friends in person sooner rather than later.

So, another Christmas that’s trying to set yet more firsts that really don’t need to be set. I almost got to play handbells at an in-person Christmas Eve service, but when the omicron variant caused the numbers to start to blow up, that was cancelled. But, we were able to record a couple of pieces to be used in webcast services, so that’s something.

Anyways, I hope that everyone has a very merry Christmas and a safe, happy and healthy new year despite the scary times we’re continuing to live in.

We pause today to remember those who have served their country and made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may have peace, security and freedom.

To them and their families I say “Thank you”.

Welcome to 2021!

When I posted my annual greeting message last year, I did not imagine that the year would have gone the way it did. While 2020 definitely had a lot of negatives, there were a few positives that I’m not sure I’d want to give up.

So, here’s to a great 2021! Let’s put 2020 behind us and look forward to much better future! May we all have a safe, healthy and prosperous new year!

So, this is the weirdest Christmas that I’m sure that most of us have experienced. Normally, Christmas is all bells, all the time. This year, the closest I’ve gotten to a handbell is when I helped Jeanette record a solo handbell performance.

Anyways, I hope that you and yours have a very merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year! May 2021 be much better than the dumpster fire that is 2020.