Calgary, Alta., did record a snowy end to fall with a snowstorm dumping 20.8 centimetres on Nov. 23, 2024.
But, since the start of meteorological winter, Calgary airport hasn’t measured more than three cm of snow in one day. How much longer will the winter snowfall deficit continue?
DON’T MISS: Polar vortex set to invade Canada and the U.S. with dangerous cold
Calgary snow status to date_Jan. 14
The snowfall recorded on Nov. 22-23 accounts for 50 per cent of Calgary’s snowfall this season. The total snowfall seen in the city by Jan. 1 ended up being “bang-on average,” according to Kevin MacKay, a meteorologist at The Weather Network.
The eight biggest, single-day snowfalls in the Alberta city all fall outside of meteorological winter, with the ninth-largest occurring on Feb. 10, 1951 (27.7 cm).
Calgary International Airport snowiest days on record
It’s been an eerily quiet winter season for Calgary airport thus far, measuring only six cm of snow in December and 2.2 cm in the first half of January. That falls well short of the climate normals for the months, which are 16.3 and 16.6 cm, respectively.
By now, we would have had at least one day with snowfall exceeding 5 cm, if not, 10 cm. So, what gives?
Alberta snowfall through Friday
The recent pattern has favoured more snow events in the North, with high pressure clearing out weather in the south of the province. Climate is also a factor, with the more snowy months occurring in the shoulder seasons (March to April and October to November).
While some bursts of flurries are possible with a clipper swinging through late week, a snowstorm is not in the cards for the next seven to 10 days. Instead, expect dangerously cold Arctic air) to filter in, bringing in temperatures in the -20s and even colder wind chills.
With files from Kevin MacKay, a meteorologist at The Weather Network.