Former CFB Summerside meteorologist to host weather discussion during Co- op Week
Islanders have always been extremely interested in weather since their primary industries of farming, fishing and tourism rely so heavily on the amounts of rain and sunshine that are received in the summer. And in the winter, wind and snow also determine if children will get a day off school and if their parents will get to work or not.
These factors helped prompt Le Bel Âge Residential Co- op in Wellington to organize a special free event specifically on the topic of weather on Oct. 16, 1 p. m., in the co- op’s family room, as part of 2012 Co- op Week.
Special guest Gerald Reichheld, retired meteorologist from the former CFB Summerside, will host the discussion about weather patterns. He’ll begin with a few introductory remarks and then open a questionandanswer period.
“Everyone is welcome to attend this event, which will take place in English. We’re hoping to attract a large number of people and that they’ll have a fun, lively discussion about everything related to weather,” says activities co- ordinator Carmella Richard. “We’re extremely lucky to have access to an expert who is so knowledgeable about this topic, living right here in our own community.”
Snacks will be served following the discussion.
Many Islanders will remember that Reichheld used to provide daily weather reports on CJRW radio when he was employed at the former base. When CFB Summerside closed in 1991, he officially retired from his meteorology career of 21 years. He was, however, allowed to keep a number of the smaller weather predicting and measuring tools. He also inherited all of the weather station’s old meteorological records that date back to the establishment of the station around the time of the Second World War.
Reichheld, who lives in Goodwin’s Corner, has therefore continued, over the past two decades, to keep daily records of precipitation, temperature highs and lows and other atmospheric conditions.