Niagara Falls in February

On Thu, 29 Nov 2007 14:28:11 -0800 (PST), wrote:


I understand it can get a little cold that time of the year?

Niagra Fall's average temperatures in February a
High 34F (1C)
Low 17F (-8C)

Toronto is slightly colder.

James

I was surprised it was that high.

However the record low for February is -23C. Of course that is a
record but it is an idea of the extremes.

However, even a moderate snowfall is enough to slow
traffic ...and it also increases the accident rate

And it can also making driving more stressful.

I don't know where in the UK the original poster lives, but in London
the average winter lows are still above freezing, so he may not have a
lot of experience driving on snow and ice.

James

wrote:

However, even a moderate snowfall is enough to slow
traffic ...and it also increases the accident rate

And it can also making driving more stressful.

I don't know where in the UK the original poster lives, but in London
the average winter lows are still above freezing, so he may not have a
lot of experience driving on snow and ice.

James

I live in South Wales where the average lows in winter and around 5.C
and where we get very little snow.
I wasn't planning on driving anyway but taking a bus.
Someone else mentioned they turn down the falls to 1/4 power in
winter???
Does that mean they can control it in some way???

--
Am I the only Gareth Slee?
http://www.garethslee.com

On Fri, 30 Nov 2007 10:01:01 +0000, (Gareth Slee) wrote:

Am I the only Gareth Slee?

Let's hope so... 8

-- Larry

Someone else mentioned they turn down the falls to 1/4 power in
winter??? Does that mean they can control it in some way???

About 50-75% of the water is diverted all year to a hydroelectric
plant. It's done via tunnels before it reaches the falls. The water is
added back below the falls.

It generates electricity and reduces erosion.

James

Gareth Slee wrote:
...
Someone else mentioned they turn down the falls to 1/4 power in
winter???
Does that mean they can control it in some way???


Yes, they divert a lot of water for the hydro electric production, etc.

Check out... http://tinyurl.com/35pko8

And this is VERY interesting - didn't know it was possible...
http://tinyurl.com/2qo2gf

"...The flow over the American Falls was stopped completely for several
months in 1969. The idea was to determine the feasibility of removing
the large amount of loose rock from the base of the falls to enhance
it's appearance. In the end the final decision was that the expense
would be too great..." http://tinyurl.com/69heh

Gareth Slee wrote:

I live in South Wales where the average lows in winter and around 5.C
and where we get very little snow.
I wasn't planning on driving anyway but taking a bus.

The bus station and train station are in the old downtown section, almost a
mile from the falls. If you can grab a casino shuttle they are cheaper and
go the casinos, which are closer to the falls.

Someone else mentioned they turn down the falls to 1/4 power in
winter???
Does that mean they can control it in some way???


A lot of the water is diverted for hydroelectric generation, but there is
an international agreement to ensure there is lots to see during the day.
They divert more water at night.

On Fri, 30 Nov 2007 22:02:50 -0600, "Frank F. Matthews"
wrote:



jdoe wrote:

On Fri, 30 Nov 2007 06:47:02 -0600, "Frank F. Matthews"
wrote:

jdoe wrote:

On Thu, 29 Nov 2007 19:44:48 +0000, (Gareth
Slee) wrote:

We're travelling from the UK in February and staying 7 nights in
Toronto.
I understand it can get a little cold that time of the year? Are there
possible problems in being able to travel to Niagara Falls due to the
weather?

Also I've been looking to stay at "Residence Inn Toronto
Downtown/Entertainment District" in Toronto. Anyone have any thoughts on
the hotel?

Any other advice appreciated.

it could be very cold and the river under the falls will be frozen but
it is still spectacular, the hotel is fine, the area is slightly honky
tonk, tourist trapish but it's fine

Of course, if it is below freezing the falls make a permanent ice storm.

I've never seen the water flowing over the falls frozen, and maybe the
mist freezes but I've not seen it like an ice storm

I would think that the mist settling on a frozen surface would pretty
much be an ice storm. I, at least, would not like to be on the walkways
near the falls in such a situation.

http://www.cliftonhill.com/niagara_f...ory_icebridge/
is interesting in that regard.

They shut down the falls in the winter, you know. Or they at
least turn it way down:

"The treaty requires that during the daylight hours of the
tourist season (0800 to 2200 hours local time, April 1st to
September 15th and 0800 to 2000 hours local time September 16th
to October 31st), the flow over Niagara Falls must not be less
than 2832 cubic m/second (cubic m/s) [100,000 cubic ft per second
(cfs)]. At all other times, the flow must not be less than 1416
cu m/s (50,000 cfs)."

http://www.niagaraparks.com/nfgg/geology.php

--
************* DAVE HATUNEN ) *************
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow *
* My typos & mispellings are intentional copyright traps *

Gareth Slee:
Someone else mentioned they turn down the falls to 1/4 power in
winter???

Dave Smith:
A lot of the water is diverted for hydroelectric generation, but there is
an international agreement to ensure there is lots to see during the day.
They divert more water at night.

....in the summer.
--
Mark Brader | The chief use to which we put our love of the truth is
Toronto | in persuading ourselves that what we love is true.
| -- Pierre Nicole, c.1675

"Frank F. Matthews" wrote:

I've never seen the water flowing over the falls frozen, and maybe the
mist freezes but I've not seen it like an ice storm

I would think that the mist settling on a frozen surface would pretty
much be an ice storm. I, at least, would not like to be on the walkways
near the falls in such a situation.


It is. The area around the falls often looks like a winter wonderland
because the mist settles on the tree branches and freezes. It also cakes
up on top of the snow . They put a lot of salt on the sidewalks to keep
them passable. You don't want to be standing in that mist on a cold winter
day, but it is quite pretty to look at.