Harsh winter, indeed: Environment Canada’s senior climatologist is MIA

TORONTO – You know it’s been a harsh winter when Environment Canada’s Senior Climatologist leaves the country.

After calling the ubiquitous climatologist, it was a surprise to hear this message on his voicemail:

“Hello. You’ve reached David Phillips’s voicemail. I’m not in the office today. In fact I’m not going to be in for a while. Given the weather prospects for March, I’ve decided to disappear — to get out of town, get out of country. Mind you, not a witness protection program, but with all that winter weather rage out there, I thought it would be best to come back in a different season. You could leave a message if you like, but I’m not likely to answer it for a while. I do hope you get the weather you want for the rest of the winter. Bye for now.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Hello. You've reached David Phillips's voicemail. I'm not in the office today. In fact I'm not going to be in for a while. Given the weather prospects for March, I've decided to disappear — to get out of town, get out of country. Mind you, not a witness protection program, but with all that winter weather rage out there, I thought it would be best to come back in a different season. You could leave a message if you like, but I'm not likely to answer it for a while. I do hope you get the weather you want for the rest of the winter. Bye for now."

Yes, Canada, it’s been a harsh winter.

Blizzards in the west, an ice storm in the east, and multiple visits by the polar vortex probably make a climatologist persona non grata. Or, perhaps, make him seek warmer, friendlier climes.

Let’s hope Phillips brings some warmth back with him.