The Day Niagara Falls Ran Dry!: Canadian Weather Facts and Trivia

Eric L. Swanick is the New Brunswick Legislative librarian and the
author of Hardiness, Perseverance and Faith: New Brunswick Library
History.

This book is about Canada’s passion—the weather. Author David
Phillips is a senior climatologist with the federal Atmospheric
Environment Service; originator of the Weather Calendar (first published
in 1984); author of the “Weatherwise” column for Canadian
Geographic; and a regular on the Weather Network.

The range and variety of information in this book is as varied as the
weather. Boxed inserts highlight facts, such as “Lightning can travel
at a speed of 140,000 kilometres per second” and “Rainbows always
appear on the opposite side of the sky from the sun.” There are many
statistical tables, and lists of helpful recommendations on such topics
as lightning safety rules and how to cool down on a hot day.

The book is divided into four parts. The first explains weather as a
scientific phenomenon and includes discussions on rainbows, northern
lights, and the (diminishing) ozone layer. “Meteorological Moments”
is the theme of Part 2, which covers, among other things, the day
Niagara Falls ran dry, the hottest heat wave, and blizzards. Part 3
discusses weather folklore and myths (“It’s too cold to snow,”
“Aches and pain, coming rain”), and the book concludes with a
general discussion of weather across Canada.

This fun and well-illustrated book should satisfy weather fans and
bring on board many converts.