Edmonton's weather, we got it...

karrie

OogedyBoogedy
Jan 6, 2007
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I lived in Edmonton for 8 or 9 years. One of my strongest memories is having my car quit on Jasper avenue and having to walk 10 blocks in minus 30F temperatures against a thirty mph wind. I had just come out from Vancouver and was not really dressed for an Edmonton Winter. I don't think I've been as cold before or since.

We buried my uncle at -47C, with a wind I can't even guess at. People were huddled so close that most of us couldn't even see the grave. Just heard the prayers and leaned on one another. Nobody cried, despite crying. Tears don't come out of your eyes when it's that cold. A brisk prayer, and a few hugs and condolences were spoken before the first signs of frost bite started appearing on mourners noses and ears, and firm orders were given to get back in our vehicles before people started losing bits.
 

#juan

Hall of Fame Member
Aug 30, 2005
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-47? They must have dug the grave with dynamite and jackhammers. I've seen colder but frankly, the difference between -45 and -55 is academic. They are both too cold to be out walking around in.
 

JLM

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 27, 2008
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-47? They must have dug the grave with dynamite and jackhammers. I've seen colder but frankly, the difference between -45 and -55 is academic. They are both too cold to be out walking around in.

Yeah, but it's a dry cold up there so you don't notice it.................:lol:
 

Outta here

Senate Member
Jul 8, 2005
6,778
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Edmonton AB
I did a dumb thing yesterday evening - ran out of gas on Wayne Gretzky Drive here in Edmonton - Juan you'd remember this as the old Capilano Freeway...

It took almost an hour for help to get to us... in the frigid temps the inside of the windows were frosted up within about 10 minutes... it was a bit scary because I started to lose the steering and had to pull over in a bad place - right before a merge onto the freeway and right after a bend in the freeway so cars were coming from behind and
beside us...whipping by us on both sides. I was suddenly acutely aware that the roads were extremely icy and one little mishap could have a car smashing into us and likely cause a hell of a pile up behind us.

All I can say is thank gawd for cell phones - we were not in a safe place to just get out and walk, and we were nowhere near a gas station so we just hunkered down in the car and waited it out.

It was such a dumb thing to do - I knew I was getting low on gas, but I was late getting my son to a soccer game across the city - we made it to the game no problem but I should have gotten gas right away afterwards... I figured I had enough to make it back to my end of town because there's a little station by my house that sells it cheaper than everyone else ... I didn't make it lolll. I was taken by surprise though because the needle hadn't gone below the empty line when I ran out. I won't be letting the gauge get below 1/4 tank again that's for sure!
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
19,576
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Vancouver Island
I did a dumb thing yesterday evening - ran out of gas on Wayne Gretzky Drive here in Edmonton - Juan you'd remember this as the old Capilano Freeway...

It took almost an hour for help to get to us... in the frigid temps the inside of the windows were frosted up within about 10 minutes... it was a bit scary because I started to lose the steering and had to pull over in a bad place - right before a merge onto the freeway and right after a bend in the freeway so cars were coming from behind and
beside us...whipping by us on both sides. I was suddenly acutely aware that the roads were extremely icy and one little mishap could have a car smashing into us and likely cause a hell of a pile up behind us.

All I can say is thank gawd for cell phones - we were not in a safe place to just get out and walk, and we were nowhere near a gas station so we just hunkered down in the car and waited it out.

It was such a dumb thing to do - I knew I was getting low on gas, but I was late getting my son to a soccer game across the city - we made it to the game no problem but I should have gotten gas right away afterwards... I figured I had enough to make it back to my end of town because there's a little station by my house that sells it cheaper than everyone else ... I didn't make it lolll. I was taken by surprise though because the needle hadn't gone below the empty line when I ran out. I won't be letting the gauge get below 1/4 tank again that's for sure!

Glad all turned out well, that is kind of scary, the cold doesn't wait for anybody,
it comes quickly and bites.
Gives one a second or two to remember how the old pioneers must have felt
trying to brave the elements crossing the country in the winter, but I guess
they were better prepared than us, we have everything at our fingertips, till
a problem comes along.
 

karrie

OogedyBoogedy
Jan 6, 2007
27,780
285
83
bliss
Zan, we nearly got hit last night. As we were driving down in the river valley, hubby commented, 'holy smokes, someone really wiped out right there,' and the second after he said it, a car in the oncoming lane completely lost control and spun across into our lane, missing our rear end by a mere foot or so. It was insanely icy out there. I'm so glad you got help and were safe. Scary stuff.
 

#juan

Hall of Fame Member
Aug 30, 2005
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I did a dumb thing yesterday evening - ran out of gas on Wayne Gretzky Drive here in Edmonton - Juan you'd remember this as the old Capilano Freeway...

It took almost an hour for help to get to us... in the frigid temps the inside of the windows were frosted up within about 10 minutes... it was a bit scary because I started to lose the steering and had to pull over in a bad place - right before a merge onto the freeway and right after a bend in the freeway so cars were coming from behind and
beside us...whipping by us on both sides. I was suddenly acutely aware that the roads were extremely icy and one little mishap could have a car smashing into us and likely cause a hell of a pile up behind us.

All I can say is thank gawd for cell phones - we were not in a safe place to just get out and walk, and we were nowhere near a gas station so we just hunkered down in the car and waited it out.

It was such a dumb thing to do - I knew I was getting low on gas, but I was late getting my son to a soccer game across the city - we made it to the game no problem but I should have gotten gas right away afterwards... I figured I had enough to make it back to my end of town because there's a little station by my house that sells it cheaper than everyone else ... I didn't make it lolll. I was taken by surprise though because the needle hadn't gone below the empty line when I ran out. I won't be letting the gauge get below 1/4 tank again that's for sure!

Yes Karen, I remember that road without having run out of gas on it, but I've done just that on several different other roads n my life....;-):smile:

It is sometimes amazing that a simple thing like not filling up can put us in a life and death situation. Right after Edmonton I was transferred to Winnipeg and the first Winter we were there, a man's car let him down 7 or 8 miles out of town and he froze to death over night in his car on the side of the road. I might have been tempted to try to walk back to town but that is just second guessing. Even with forty odd below and a bit of a wind, a person might be better off walking than sitting there freezing in the car.....but who knows.
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
19,576
113
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Vancouver Island
I hope darkbeaver is remembering to water those flowers he saw growing the
other day. Would hate to think that they dried out and died.:smile:
 

Kreskin

Doctor of Thinkology
Feb 23, 2006
21,155
149
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Glad you're ok, of course. It's freaky getting into a pickle sometimes.
 

shadowshiv

Dark Overlord
May 29, 2007
17,545
120
63
52
I did a dumb thing yesterday evening - ran out of gas on Wayne Gretzky Drive here in Edmonton - Juan you'd remember this as the old Capilano Freeway...

It took almost an hour for help to get to us... in the frigid temps the inside of the windows were frosted up within about 10 minutes... it was a bit scary because I started to lose the steering and had to pull over in a bad place - right before a merge onto the freeway and right after a bend in the freeway so cars were coming from behind and
beside us...whipping by us on both sides. I was suddenly acutely aware that the roads were extremely icy and one little mishap could have a car smashing into us and likely cause a hell of a pile up behind us.

All I can say is thank gawd for cell phones - we were not in a safe place to just get out and walk, and we were nowhere near a gas station so we just hunkered down in the car and waited it out.

It was such a dumb thing to do - I knew I was getting low on gas, but I was late getting my son to a soccer game across the city - we made it to the game no problem but I should have gotten gas right away afterwards... I figured I had enough to make it back to my end of town because there's a little station by my house that sells it cheaper than everyone else ... I didn't make it lolll. I was taken by surprise though because the needle hadn't gone below the empty line when I ran out. I won't be letting the gauge get below 1/4 tank again that's for sure!

Thankfully nothing bad happened, so you can at least laugh about it after the fact.:smile:

I have found it best to keep over 1/4 in the tank no matter what, as the gas you have near the bottom of the tank is usually pretty bad(since it has been in there for so long) and can make it so your car isn't as fuel efficient when it is consumed.
 

JLM

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 27, 2008
75,301
548
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Vernon, B.C.
Thankfully nothing bad happened, so you can at least laugh about it after the fact.:smile:

I have found it best to keep over 1/4 in the tank no matter what, as the gas you have near the bottom of the tank is usually pretty bad(since it has been in there for so long) and can make it so your car isn't as fuel efficient when it is consumed.

Off the subject I've been told that if you have a fuel pump in the gas tank you should always have at least 1/4 tank of gas so that pump is always submerged and can't burn out. (Any mechanics here?)
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
19,576
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Vancouver Island
I'm looking outside as we speak, and it is getting ready to snow again, as juan
said we are suppose to get 10-15 cent. I think.
The family is travelling to our other daughter's place for xmas eve, then again
on xmas day.
There are 3 four wheel drive vehicle to use, so hopefully we will not have problems.
Only about 15 miles each way.
 

JLM

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 27, 2008
75,301
548
113
Vernon, B.C.
I'm looking outside as we speak, and it is getting ready to snow again, as juan
said we are suppose to get 10-15 cent. I think.
The family is travelling to our other daughter's place for xmas eve, then again
on xmas day.
There are 3 four wheel drive vehicle to use, so hopefully we will not have problems.
Only about 15 miles each way.

Be nice talloola, I just got back from my morning walk in bright sunshine and blue skies & you have to mention s**w. Little nippy at minus 16 when I started out but quite pleasant for the last half hour or so. Just heard on the news of a sad accident at Cassidy, just so sad and possibly the weather was a factor.
 

shadowshiv

Dark Overlord
May 29, 2007
17,545
120
63
52
Be nice talloola, I just got back from my morning walk in bright sunshine and blue skies & you have to mention s**w. Little nippy at minus 16 when I started out but quite pleasant for the last half hour or so. Just heard on the news of a sad accident at Cassidy, just so sad and possibly the weather was a factor.

What, you don't want any of this, JLM? -------------->
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
19,576
113
63
Vancouver Island
Be nice talloola, I just got back from my morning walk in bright sunshine and blue skies & you have to mention s**w. Little nippy at minus 16 when I started out but quite pleasant for the last half hour or so. Just heard on the news of a sad accident at Cassidy, just so sad and possibly the weather was a factor.

I heard that it was alchohol and speed related, and I am wondering if those
kids were even buckled up. It's disgusting and sad.
 

JLM

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 27, 2008
75,301
548
113
Vernon, B.C.
I heard that it was alchohol and speed related, and I am wondering if those
kids were even buckled up. It's disgusting and sad.

Oh, God I spent over 45 years of my life on Vancouver Island living in places from Victoria to Sayward- just hope to hell it's not anyone I know. I guess some people just will not learn.
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
19,576
113
63
Vancouver Island
haven't heard any names yet, from that accident.

as I look out right now, I see bright blue sky, and sunny weather, don't
know how long this will last, but has the making of a nice xmas eve, although
roads will probably be slick, as it has been mild and thawing all day.
Hope they bring that salt out early.