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.”

Share this on X Click to share quote on X: "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."

Get breaking National news

Get breaking Canada news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you won't miss a trending story.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Get Started

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

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.