Canada's striking weather wonders highlighted in new set of stamps

OTTAWA, June 12, 2015 /CNW/ - Canada Post today unveiled, with help from The Weather Network and the Honourable Lisa Raitt, five new stamps designed to showcase one of Canadians' most popular topics: the weather. The five stamps, issued to coincide with the 175^th anniversary of continuous weather observing in Canada, feature weather phenomena in all their photographic splendor.

From brilliant flashes of lightning to crystal-clear ice veneers, the images on these stamps showcase the incredible variety of weather we experience in Canada – all thanks to the photographers who braved the elements to capture these meteorological marvels.

The five photographs come from every corner of the country. Daryl Benson snapped hoar frost covering a tree near Beaumont, Alberta. Geoff Whiteway focused on hazy, early-morning fog at Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site in Newfoundland and Labrador. In Saint-Gédéon, Quebec, Mike Grandmaison chased a rain shower to shoot a double rainbow, while Dave Reede captured radiant flashes of lightning near Winnipeg, Manitoba. Further north, in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Frank Reardon caught rarely witnessed sun dogs, created by ice crystals in the air, and posted the photograph on The Weather Network, where Canada Post discovered it.

"From coast-to-coast-to-coast Canada is known for its diversity, and weather is no exception. The images captured in weather wonders illustrate the natural beauty that can be seen across our country," says the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, responsible for Canada Post.

"Canadians love to talk about the weather," says Canada Post President and CEO Deepak Chopra. "Our stamp program celebrates the people, stories and attributes that capture the Canadian experience and we can all reminisce on a special weather moment."

"The Weather Network and MeteoMedia have a 26-year history of providing weather to Canadians, and we reach over 20 million people each month," says Pierre L. Morrissette, CEO, Pelmorex Media Inc. "In that time, our team has experienced first-hand how deep Canadians' fascination with weather truly runs and this stamp series is the perfect reflection of the diverse and unique conditions our country experiences."

Armed with these spectacular visuals, Kosta Tsetsekas and Defne Corbacioglu – of Vancouver-based Signals – designed a set of stamps that are tied together seamlessly. They used themed icons as a nod to the long history of weather iconography – the small suns, clouds and raindrops you see in your daily weather forecast. The icons add spice to the stamps without clouding the stunning photography.

About the stamps

The 48-mm-by-26-mm stamps are available in booklets of 10. They were printed by Canadian Bank Note in lithography with six colours. They were designed by Kosta Tsetsekas and Defne Corbacioglu of Vancouver-based Signals. The souvenir sheet of five stamps measures 130 mm by 95 mm. The uncut press sheet of six souvenir sheets measures 616 mm by 483 mm and features the image of the double rainbow. The Official First Day Cover features the souvenir sheet and measures 191 mm by 113 mm. The cancellation site is Toronto, chosen because it was the location of Canada's first weather observatory, which marks its 175^th anniversary this year.

SOURCE Canada Post

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