Friday was the 17th day in a row that Calgary’s daytime high was above average.
Since Jan. 18, there have only been two days where this city did not make it to that threshold.
Outdoor skating rinks have turned to pools, and the city of Calgary actually unlocked the gates to a number of their tennis courts. They plan to have all outdoor tennis courts open by Feb. 29.
This mild winter weather is making most people happy, but it is not helping the businesses that rely on cold weather.
Parklane Travel’s Jennie Mohamad told Global News that bookings to sunny destinations have dropped off significantly since the warm weather began mid-January.
“At the beginning of January we had tons of people asking to go away to the beach and the sun-and we were booking lots of people. Come February, with this unprecedented weather, nobody wants to travel to the beach and the sun.”
And she believes that this is a decision unique to Calgary.
“We have colleagues in Edmonton. They’re fine. They’re doing bustling business for the beach. I think this is really only Calgary.”
Justin Kellock’s family has owned Alberta Farm and Garden for 35 years. He believes that they need to see a snowfall in excess of 4 centimetres before their business will start to pick up. Once people have to deal with heavy wet snow again he anticipates their snowblower sales will spike.
“We’ll usually get a lot more response and even see droves (of people) coming in.”
The insurance business is also feeling the effects of the warm weather.
Devon Jacobs with Toole Peet Insurance said that their business has noticed a significant drop in personal collisions over this winter, with 40 to 50 per cent fewer claims being made.
Conversely Jacobs has noticed that property and vehicular thefts are up. He believes that you have to factor the economy into that, but he also said weather plays a role.
“Definitely an increase in break-in’s from vehicles…break-in’s from garages. I handle a lot of businesses and I’m seeing an increase in theft of equipment.”
Jacobs believes criminals will take advantage of the warmer weather. “It’s a lot easier to prowl all night long when it’s minus two right? When it’s minus 30 those guys aren’t staying out all night looking for opportunity.”
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