Wild Windsor weather nothing to fear says David Phillips, Canada's leading climatologist
By Leanna Roy
News Editor
July 13, 2010
 In light of Windsor's unstable weather patterns, a copy of the University of Windsor emergency procedures handbook has been circulating across campus to ensure the safety of staff and students.
The handbook contains procedural information ranging from what to do in the case of a bomb threat to severe weather conditions.
However, according to Dave Phillips, senior climatologist with Environment Canada's states that Canadians are far more cautious that they need to be.
"We have one of the safest, healthiest climates in the world. More people die falling out of bed than die from the effects of our weather," stated Phillips.
This summer in particular Windsor has been struck with some of the most extreme weather in decades according to Phillips.
So far we have seen multiple tornadoes, lightning storms lasting for hours and perhaps most unusually, an earthquake that was reportedly felt inside City Hall Square. The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the quake, at a magnitude of 5.0, was felt across Ontario and Michigan.
Last year, Windsor recorded eight thunderstorms which is below the average of 12. Between the months of April and June this year, the city has seen a total of 17 storm days and the number of thunderstorm hours has doubled from an average of about 22 hours to a whopping 54.
As breathtaking as the lightning shows are, they have caused Windsor residents much damage. The storms have claimed a car wash in Essex County.
Seacliff Park in Leamington took an estimated $1.5 million to $2 million damage during the June 6 storm.
The extreme Windsor heat does have some positive benefits according to Philips, pointing out that our extreme weather has created a potential customer base for solar thermal and wind energy manufacturers.
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