February snowfall amounts appear to break records
CBC meteorologist Kalin Mitchell has dug around in the historic numbers
We know it was a tough month for weather in the Maritimes this February, but how did it compare to Februarys past? I've done some initial digging into the records and come up with some rather astounding results.
This is initial work based on data available from www.climate.weather.gc.ca and shouldn't be considered official at this point.
Selection of sites in the Maritimes is based on data available at www.climate.weather.gc.ca. There is some data missing for certain years at some of the sites.
New Brunswick
Saint John: 184.4 centimetres of snow reported February, 2015. That is the highest amount reported for a February with records going back to 1871. The previous February record was 135.0 centimetres in 1992.
Moncton: 168.6 centimetres of snow reported February, 2015. That is the second highest amount reported for a February with records going back to 1881. The standing record is February 1992 with 249 centimetres reported.
Fredericton: Total snow for February, 2015 is currently missing. I've placed a request in with Environment Canada for any available data and will update if/when available.
Prince Edward Island
Charlottetown: 222.8 centimetres of snow reported February, 2015. That is the highest amount reported for a February with records going back to 1872. The previous February record was 154.6 centimetres in 1992.
Nova Scotia
Yarmouth: 135.1 centimetres of snow reported February, 2015. That's the second highest report on record going back to 1870. The standing record is 147.1 centimetres reported in 1882.
Greenwood/Middleton: 166.1 centimetres of snow reported February, 2015. That is the highest amount reported for a February with records going back to 1946 at Greenwood then back to 1914 at Middleton. The previous record was 114.6 centimetres in 1962.
Halifax/Stanfield International Airport: 130.8 centimetres of snow reported February 2015. That is the highest amount reported for a February with records at the airport location going back to 1961. From there records stretch back to 1871, but the reporting station moves to the city centre. It is also the highest amount on those records. The previous record was 125.7 centimetres in 1992.
Sydney: 105.0 centimetres of snow reported February 2015. The standing record is 168.8 centimetres reported in 1992. Records go back to 1870.