Let's talk about...the weather

No discussion about moving to Canada from Jamaica would be complete without questions on the weather.  Of all the contrasts between the two countries, perhaps that would be the most immediate and uppermost in minds.  I have been here just under a week now, so it's about time to have that discussion.

Officially, it is spring, and the northern hemisphere's summer starts in just 9 days.  From Canadians, including G, I keep hearing how "hot" it is, and inwardly I smile.  Yes, I suppose for people used to temperatures in the minus twenties (degrees Celsius), it may seem hot now, with the sun shining and the humidity hovering around 50%.  For someone used to temperatures hovering near 34 degrees with 80% or more humidity, the weather now is simply pleasantly warm.

On my first day, it was windy and cool, say around 22 degrees, so I wore a long-sleeved workout top and yoga pants and was comfortable.  I plan to acquire some more long-sleeved shirts, knit or jersey, as I was very happy to have that single shirt (the only long-sleeved shirt I own) on Thursday.  Saturday morning was another morning to be happy for long-sleeved shirts, as it dawned cool, foggy and wet, and stayed that way until late afternoon.  On Saturday, with my long-sleeved shirt in the wash, I had to resort to a hooded sweatshirt over my t-shirt to remain appropriately warm.  Surprisingly enough, the temperature rose, the rain and fog cleared off and the evening was very fine.

People you meet in stores and on the street will comment on how "hot" it is, and try to forecast the summer's heat.  Having experienced a northern summer before, I know something of what is to come, and I am interested to see if this time it is the same or worse.  I cannot expect it to be better, although perhaps the fact that I am in the rural part of the province, as opposed to being in a city, as I was then, will make a difference.  It remains to be seen.

Today it is windy, and somewhat cloudy, which over-shadows the warmth and heat that arose earlier in the day.  It is cool, in the mid-twenties, low humidity, altogether an agreeable and tolerable temperate day.  As time goes on, of course there will be more to say on the weather, but for now?  It's quite nice.