15 December 2010 - Conditions at 8:22 AM: +1.7C, Partly clear, Wind: WSW 5 km/h

Yesterday was like a Spring day here with temps in the lower double digits,lots of sunshine and calm winds.The evening remained mild and some rain began falling shortly after sunset.

The rain and mild weather ended overnight.Temps are now back to more seasonable values and will remain there for the next while.We may see a few flurries over the next couple of days but no significant amounts are expected.Temps will not reach sub-zero reading like they have to our west.

·

Forecasts for our area issued by Environment Canada :

(Normals: Max +2C / Min -7C)

Today

Cloudy with sunny periods and 60 percent chance of rain showers or flurries. Wind west 20 km/h gusting to 40 becoming light near noon. Temperature steady near plus 3.

Tonight

Cloudy. 60 percent chance of flurries early this evening. A few flurries beginning this evening. Wind becoming northwest 20 km/h near midnight. Low minus 3.

Thursday

Cloudy with sunny periods and 40 percent chance of flurries. High zero.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud. Low minus 3. High minus 1.

·

The marine forecast:

Wind westerly 25 knots with gusts to 35 backing to southwest 20 early

 this morning then diminishing to 10 to 15 this afternoon. Wind

 increasing to southwest 20 late this evening then veering to

 westerly 15 Thursday morning. Chance of showers today. Chance of

 showers or flurries beginning near midnight.

·

Today’s Weather Trivia:

15 December 2006:2006: Vancouver Island and Lower Mainland (BC) residents were reeling after the 3rd powerful storm in 5 days. Wind gusts over 100 km/h struck the same locations straight on, toppling groves of trees seeded 2 centuries ago. Stanley Park lost 1000s of trees and was closed for days. It was the most destructive storm in provincial history for electrical and telephone infrastructure. – Excerpt from 'The Canadian Weather Trivia Calendar' by David Phillips. © Environment Canada

·

Sky Events:

·

ISS visible sightings:No visible sightings until Dec 24.

·

December's evening skies abound with bright constellations, especially in the south and east. Look for Orion, the hunter; Gemini, the twins; and Orion's dogs, Canis Minor and Canis Major, home of Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky..

·

AURORA (‘Northern Lights’) WATCH: Auroral activity will be low.