Before we came to Calgary, we've been hearing about its very cold winter weather... not just cold, but longer winter months compared to Toronto... it definitely scare the hell out of me since I get cold easily. But then, with proper clothing [layering], its not as bad as it looks. On the brighter side, Winnipeg and Montreal gets more snow than us.
The one good thing about Calgary's weather is the "Chinook winds" that provides a welcome respite from the long winter chill. The change can be dramatic as well, temperature can be double-digit below zero and rose to single/double-digit positive temperature in as little as 4 hours.
Chinook winds have been observed to elevate winter temperatures, often from below −20°C/−4°F to as high as 10°C/50°F to 20°C/68°F, for a few hours or days, at the end of which, the temperatures plummet to their base levels...
...Calgary is also well known for getting many chinooks, as the Bow Valley in the Canadian Rockies west of the city acts as a natural wind tunnel funneling the chinook winds....
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinook_wind
There was one day in December where the wind was blowing at 50km/hour, temperature with windchill was -35°C. I can really feel my cheek turning into icicle. But that was just one day.
We experienced continuous snowfall for about 7 days two weeks ago, I was late for that whole week due to traffic and accidents. Temperature was in the −20s°C... this week however, we are experiencing single-digit positive temperature, thanks to "Chinook". You can actually see people wearing t-shirt and shorts walking on the streets. I can even go out for a few minutes with no jacket. And I'm the type of person who gets cold easily.
I hate the fact that I was late for work for the whole week and that my travel time was 1.5 hours instead of the usual 30 minutes, but am also thankful for the traffic because it kept me safe on the road. Back in Toronto, I don't usually drive on a snowy day... but here, I have no choice! Commuting is not an option for me. So snow day or not, I have to drive to work.
The day my daughter was
making her 10 little snowmen, the temperature was about 8C. A nice day for an outdoor fun!
But then, everybody is saying that this winter is pretty warm compared to past winters... lucky me.
My MIL will be visiting for 3 days and 2 nights... arriving tuesday afternoon and leaving thursday morning. She will be spending Valentine's day with us and hopefully with a nice sunny [but cold] weather we will be able to take her to 
