After a calm, frosty Wednesday, the wind is back. Environment Canada’s Lethbridge forecast, issued early Thursday, calls for west winds of 50 km/h gusting to 70 by around noon today, and west 40 gusting to 60 tonight and Friday. Friday night and Sunday are both listed as windy.
The good news is it’s mild and sunny, which makes this a pleasant week for a quick walk around the yard. Fifteen minutes now can save you chasing a lawn chair down the alley later.
What to check
- Patio furniture and cushions. Stack chairs, bring cushions inside, and lay umbrellas down or put them away for the season.
- Garbage, recycling and compost carts. Keep lids closed and park carts where a fence or wall blocks the west wind.
- Trampolines and playhouses. Check that any ground anchors are snug, and move light plastic toys into the garage or shed.
- Early holiday decorations. Inflatables and light strings need firm tie-downs. Skip the ladder and the roof on gusty days and save that job for a calm one.
- Gates, fence boards and shed doors. A latch that doesn’t quite catch will bang all night in a west wind.
- Loose branches. Note any dead or cracked branches over the house, driveway or power lines. Leave anything near power lines to the professionals.
A job for the kids
Kids make great yard inspectors. Hand them a list and let them walk the yard looking for anything light enough to blow away. Then, from inside, watch which way the trees bend. In Lethbridge, it’s often a west wind.
Keep an eye on it
Before you start, check for any weather alerts. You can follow the wind and gusts minute by minute at West Lethbridge Weather’s current conditions, and if you’re curious which way our wind usually comes from, take a look at our wind rose history.
For more outdoor jobs before winter, see our roof and outside maintenance page.