Snowfall, temperatures on par with previous years, says weather expert

CORNER BROOK - The weather has been a common topic for coffee shop talk this year.

Before this week's rain, residents talked about how much snow they have been shovelling or blowing from their driveways daily. The talk of snow was usually only ever exceeded by how cold it was.

Whether it is the age of global warming or the cyclic patterns of the climate, it is not only the elder population who recall the days of winter gone by - when the snow banks topped the peaks of houses and when it was too bitter cold to go outside.

Recent winters have been characterized by mild spells and mid-season rain.

The snow base during the months of November and December, and even January this past few seasons, have been hindered by periods of rain. That never really allowed for the total snowfall accumulations one may be used to in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Judging from that coffee shop talk, it appears this season has been a slight return to form for the winter season. There was a significant enough snowfall in November this year and Marble Mountain even opened its slopes prior to the typical Boxing Day target opening.

However, the statistics show that snowfall is again well below average to this point in the season. But yes, it has been a cold one - well, as cold as the typical winter here.

Local weather expert John Wagner reports a total of 32.2 centimetres of snow fell this year in November, which is just below the 37.5 average since 1933. However, Corner Brook only received 53.8 cm in December, well below the average of 94.6 cm.

With two days remaining in January the city had received close to the average of 104.9 cm for the month.

If the most recent memory serves as a comparison for what one expects during a winter, this year's snowfall amounts are well above what was received last year. Up to Monday, 185.5 cm had fallen thus far compared to only 161 last year. Of note, the average amount to the end of January is 243.2 cm.

After warmer than normal months in October and November, December's average temperature was -4.7 C. That is 2.3 C colder than the monthly average and a full 3 C colder than last year.

The cold temperatures have continued in January, averaging -5.1 C through to Monday. That is only 0.5 C warmer than the average, but 2.1 C colder than last year.

The Environment Canada forecast is calling for warm temperatures to close out the month. The above zero temperatures today and Thursday are likely to bring periods of rain or showers before dipping well below freezing again to kick off the month of February.