The Weather with Connor Featuring Connor Mockett

Hello, everyone! Welcome back to The Weather with Connor. This week’s column will be a little bit different, I’m going to talk about my Top 3 favourite storm chases that I’ve ever been on. There were lots to choose from over the years, but I think I’ve made my mind up!

Number 3: September 5th, 2021.

This day was a complete surprise. I was expecting storms this day, but nothing quite as photogenic as what I ended up seeing. I actually didn’t even prepare for a chase day, because after looking at models, I wasn’t all convinced anything cool was going to happen. Boy, was I wrong.

I was sitting at home, periodically checking radar for most of the afternoon and early evening. Around 5:00pm, I started to get intrigued by a storm over by Casselman, mostly because I could see the crisp updraft in the distance from Winchester, and it was showing some minor rotation on radar. Because of those things, I quickly prepared my car and cameras for an emergency chase.

I ended up catching up to the storm around Moose Creek. It was a relatively slow moving storm, which is not common around here. Right off the bat, I saw a minor funnel cloud pretty much directly over Casselman, but the storm visually looked like it was dying. I kept with it, though. From Moose Creek, I followed it all the way to just east of Alexandria, and during that drive, it progressively got prettier and prettier, and then I was in shock at what I was seeing.

I stopped the car near Glen Robertson, Ontario, right at the Quebec border. I hopped out of the car, and saw a big beautiful shelf cloud, with the sun from behind the storm shooting directly through it, making the underneath of the storm a bright orange. A gorgeous sight.

Number 2: June 27th, 2022.

This was one of my Alberta chases from my Chasecation last summer. This was one of those days where the Alberta Foothills are playing games with you for a little bit, until storms really pop off. Supercells were expected to fire up off the foothills in the late afternoon and early evening around Calgary.

Right around dinner time, the first storm of the day fired up, but it was a weird one. It was moving straight north, following the edge of the foothills, and was never able to come off the mountains to tap into a better environment. It was also moving about 100km/h, which is very difficult to chase, especially in rush hour in Cochrane, Alberta. I tried my best to follow that storm, but I got stuck in traffic, and the storm later died. I was frustrated, that’s for sure, so I went and parked at a gas station just north of Cochrane, thinking the day was a bust…until it wasn’t.

While on my phone looking for potential hotels to stay at for the night, I suddenly look up and see a huge updraft off to my south. A new supercell thunderstorm had just come off the Foothills, and was immediately dangerous. It went to a tornado warning pretty quickly, and did show a couple of funnels as other chasers reported. However, I was far away, and had to catch up to it from Cochrane to Strathmore, Alberta. I ended up catching it, and boy was I happy about that. I got out in front of the storm, took the camera out, and started taking photos. This photo was in my 2023 Calendar, and is one of my all-time favourites. This was taken near Hussar, Alberta at 10:15pm. Number 1: July 15th, 2021.

This was another emergency chase type of day. On a Thursday morning, I got to looking at the weather models, because severe storms were expected late in the day for Eastern Ontario. Fun fact, this day was the same day and the same system, which caused the Barrie,

Ontario EF-2 tornado that afternoon.

I was on the couch going over things in my head. I noticed models had a storm or two Thursday afternoon in the Ottawa Valley, so I started looking at the parameters to see if it was worth giving it a shot. I know the Ottawa Valley terrain and road network very well, so it was (and always is) attractive to chase up there. I really contemplated going or not, so I gave myself a 10 minute period to tell myself if I was going or not. Naturally, my storm chasing brain told me to go, so I did. A non-planned chase into the Valley.

Another fun fact, the CASFT Franktown radar that Environment Canada has was not up and running yet, as it was still being installed that summer. So I had no radar to look at before or during this chase, it was completely visual chasing. I got into my target area, just northwest of Renfrew, Ontario. As I’m sitting on a dirt back road in the open fields, I notice the cloud cover. I actually almost left because of the clouds. Once again, glad I didn’t!

As I’m sitting there, I see my target storm coming into view. At the time, it was just entering the town of Golden Lake/Eganville, but I could still see it. Immediately, I noticed a lowering, right where it should be for a supercell (the southern part of the storm). It started to get closer and closer, close enough where I could visually see strong rotation happening in the clouds and wall cloud. I drove further north, about 1.5km, to get to another dirt road. This is where structure was most amazing. You really don’t see this type of supercell structure around here very often at all. I was really seeing rotation, and to this day I still cannot believe this storm didn’t put down a tornado.

This was, and still is, the most beautiful supercell I’ve ever personally laid my eyes on in my Ontario chasing days.

In loving memory Steven Farrell

October 9th 1959-March 10th 2013

In loving memory of a dear son, father, brother and friend who passed away March 10th, 2013.

You are missed so very much I often sit and think about The year's that have passed by And the happiness and joy That was shared by you and I I think of all the laughter, The smiles and all the fun, And, before I even know it, My tears have once again begun For, although it brings me comfort To walk down memory lane

It reminds me how, without you, Life has never been the same. Forever in our heart's, family and friend's

Wallace, William Leslie “Les”

September 26, 1927 – February 25, 2023

It is with deep sadness that we announce Les’s death at the Kemptville District Hospital (KDH). He was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Mary Jean (Scott) Wallace, and his eldest daughter, Janet Pyefinch (Sid). Les was also predeceased by his eldest sister Ruth McCall (Sam - deceased) and his young brother David. He will be missed by his children, Jane Wynne (Mike Fecteau), Kathy Prosser (Eric), Kristine Wallace (Colin Mitchell) and William Wallace (Mary-Kay Chomitz). He was DeDe to his grandchildren; Jennifer Ouellet (Mark), Kelly Wynne, Leslie Wynne (Rowan Klassen), Katie Warner (Chris Cormier), Michael Warner, Meaghan Wallace, and to his great-grandchildren Emma Ouellet and Del Klassen. He will also be missed by his sisters, Doreen Wallace, June Anderson (Russel – deceased), and Janet Hobbs, as well as many nieces and nephews. Les graduated from UBC Forestry in 1956 and maintained lifelong friendships with his classmates. His career in forestry with the federal government forged his closest friendships and was the source of many of his best stories. Doug MilneSmith and the Peaker girls, Carolyn and Cathy, were especially close - just like family. Les’s wicked sense of humour, kindness, and generosity - all defining characteristics - will be missed by all who knew him. Many thanks to his family at Bayfield Manor for their love and care. Also, the doctors, nurses, and staff at KDH were so good to Dad, and to us. A send-off is being planned for May 2023. Les will be interred along-side his parents Harold and Jessie (Potter) Wallace in Kars, Ontario. Donations in Dad’s memory to Kemptville District Hospital or the charity of your choice would be appreciated.

The family would love to hear your stories about Les. You can send them to William at: williamjawallace@gmail.com

Condolences/Tributes/Donations

Hulse, Playfair & McGarry www.hpmcgarry.ca

613-258-2435

Baldwin's Birds

Widow they wash her body for his soul to rest shackled in rituals long past their time wrap her with punitive measures bind her cut her locks smudge her makeup no one must talk to her she is an outcast even after his death she must serve she is evil they wash her body for his soul to rest

Nari shakti (woman power)

Celebrate the woman here she comes dragging her feet across the wet fields beaten, ten times, maybe more

Celebrate the woman who may cry often but never let you know what is hurting her

Hairy, But Not Scary!

submitted by Jagjeet (Guddi) Sharma

On this miserable snowbound day, which isn't at all cheery at the moment, but as the day is drawing to an end, it is starting to look a bit more like things are starting to look up! At least I can do that now without getting an eyeful of snow and so can the birds, as they continue to come in to my feeders, or to gather the seed scattered on the ground. I am still getting quite a variety of them including a couple of Crows and some Starlings, with their iridescent plumage still in evidence. Of course, these birds, being of a larger variety are not able to use the suspended feeders, so gravitate to ground feeding or using my larger feeders, as do the Pigeons, Doves, Bluejays and Cardinals, who feed at either place depending on what appears to be available for them to eat. Our timid Redwing Blackbird partakes when it plucks up enough courage, but never lingers in one place for very long, as opposed to our two types of Woodpecker, the "diminutive" Downy and the 'huge" Hairy, who enjoy their feeding suspended above the rest and are never in too much of a rush! Both types seem to relish their visits and, at times, seem almost to be asleep, as they cling to whatever hanging feeder they are on, and remain motionless for quite long intervals. Of course, I don't think that they actually drift off to sleep ,but are keeping a vigilant look out for any unwanted intruders wishing to do them and the other birds harm. Fortunately this is a very, very occasional occurrence, so is a very safe spot for them all.

Celebrate the woman who wants to conquer the world but is not allowed stopped at each juncture she wants to cross all boundaries

Celebrate the woman the overachiever, the nari shakti inside her, a raging fire within lifts her spirits burns to aspire leap across greater heights

The Food Corner

by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville

How can such an ugly tuber as a sweet potato taste so good! Some folks coming to our restaurant always order the Sweet Potato Fries. Sweet potatoes are a staple in lots of cultures and our family particularly appreciates them as easy to make, flavourful and also very versatile: they can go with practically anything. Today’s recipe tarts up the homely plant with orange and ginger, hence Orange Ginger Sweet Potatoes.

Orange Ginger Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients

• 2 kgs or 4 ½ pounds of sweet potatoes (available practically everywhere)

• 5 tablespoons of butter

• ½ cup of half and half cream

• 1 tablespoon of orange juice concentrate

• 1 teaspoon of ground ginger

• 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper

Preparation

• Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into pieces for cooking

• Cover them with water in a sauce pan, bring to a boil,

If you are wondering about my cryptic title for this article I am referring to my picture of a Hairy Male (Aren't we all!?) Woodpecker, giving a close-up view of its face, which, if the paper's version is clear enough, shows how the feathers surrounding the base of the beak look to be quite hair-like in looks and structure. These fine facial feathers, however, do not give it its name, which comes from the long thread-like white feathers that run down the middle of its black back. This fact I have just "Googled" so it must be true, mustn't it?! (tongue in cheek!). It is certainly something I shall be looking out for the next chance that I get. Perhaps you may be lucky enough to see it too, if you haven't done so already. Stay safe and well.

Cheers,

John Baldwin

then reduce heat to a simmer

• Let the sweet potatoes cook till tender for a half hour or so, then drain

• Place the cooked and tender tubers in a blender or food processor

• Add the butter, cream, orange juice concentrate, ginger and pepper

• Blend till smooth and pour the mixture into a baking dish (glass preferred)

• Bake at 350F for a half hour or so and serve while hot

To add eye appeal, you can swirl 2 or 3 tablespoons of sour cream or plain yoghurt into the top half inch of your dish. You can actually serve Orange Ginger Sweet Potatoes as a soup, they are that good! Or, have them accompany a leg of lamb or a pork roast. Vegetarians can serve this recipe with pastas or grain dishes.

All the best from pcormier@ranaprocess.com. Please think kindly of our colleagues at Mr. Mozzarella, who are recovering from a fire. Despite the material damage, we are all thankful that there was no loss of life or injuries; we are also impressed by and grateful for our devoted municipal firefighters, as always.