Coldest February in 35 Years

     With an average mean temperature of -20.0°C, February 2014 goes down as the 21st coldest on record since 1872 in Winnipeg. However, even more impressive, it was the coldest since 1979 and 8th coldest in the last century. If you are under the age of 35 and never lived outside of Winnipeg, this was the coldest February you've ever experienced!

     For most of the month, the story was not how extreme the cold was, but rather its length. 24 days saw temperatures below -20°C, almost the entire month! This is the most -20°C days in February since 1949 when there were also 24 such days, and tied 13th most since 1872. The following table quickly summarizes temperatures this February:

	February 2014	Rank (since 1872)	Most/least since…	1981-2010 normal
Days below -30°C	6 days	53rd most (tied)	2008 (7 days)	4 days
Days below -20°C	24 days	13th most (tied)	1949 (24 days)	14 days
Days above -10°C	5 days	6th least (tied)	1939 (4 days)	17 days

 

     Of course, snow pack is just another issue this winter. We will be entering into March this year with a snow depth of 47 cm in Winnipeg, which is the 6th deepest snow pack entering into March since 1955.

Table: Top 6 deepest snow packs entering into March since 1955

Rank	Snow depth on March 1	Year
1	80 cm	1956
2	61 cm	1955
2	61 cm	1962
4	55 cm	1997
5	49 cm	2007
6	47 cm	2014

     Thanks for reading! Winter statistics to come midday or afternoon on Saturday. Stay tuned!