Well it snowed some more last night. Like many days in Yellowknife I am tempted to say the weather is not usually like this. Isn't it supposed to be a semi arid climate? Anyways, winter has arrived... Really it has (although they're calling for rain tomorrow).
It makes me think we should have a few more words for winter in English. They say the Inuit have many words for snow. I suggest we should have at least three words for winter.
Maybe I'll just make them up - loosely borrowing from some other languages. In Italian and Spanish they use the term Inverno or invierno. In Russian they say Zima (pronouce the i like in the word pig) - kind of cool sounding. The local dogrib call it Zahk'e!
The Celts had an interesting idea of dividing the year into eight (2 equinoxes, 2 solstices and 4 midpoints). This fits the best for the climate in Yellowknife:
ZAHK'E: Hallowe'en to Winter Solstice - feels mostly like a real southern Canadian Winter with a few colder days.
WINTER: Winter Solstice to St Brigid's Day (aka Imbulc) - this is the depth of winter - cold and dark.
ZIMA: Imbulc to Spring Equinox: cold but getting clear, bright and lighter all the time.
SPRING: Spring Equinox to May Day (Beltane) - winter is ending, skiing is fun, it's warmer and the ice is thick; great time for winter sports.
SPRING THAW: May Day to Summer Solstice: The great thaw; itching to get boats in; warmer days finally coming; lots and lots of light all the time.
SUMMER: Summer Solstice to Mid Summer's eve: This is the yellowknife summer with loads of light, swimming, sunshine and warmth.
AUTUMN: Midsummer's eve to Fall equinox: I would call this our autumn. It can still be in the 20s but the feeling is that winter is around the corner.
FALL: Fall equinox to Halloween. Snow shows up and may melt. No lakes frozen enough to walk on. Maybe some rain.
Well, I haven't firmed up on the names of these seasons but if you have any ideas let me know!
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