Local January precipitation wildly different from last years post

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — What a difference a year makes when it comes to local area January precipitation.

Last year, the local airport weather station recorded nearly double the monthly norm of 32.7 centimetres of snow, with a 63.2 post.

However, this year we barely recorded just over a quarter of that amount, and just over half the norm, with 16.8 centimetres.

The percentage differential in the overall precipitation was even greater with this year’s total of 15 millimetres slightly less than a quarter of last year’s 60.6 post.

It was also slightly less than 60 per cent of the monthly average of 25.4, and this year is the first time since the 2010 post of 23.2 millimetres, the airport station has recorded a below average January total.

However, last month was only the 17th driest January on record, and despite the total post of only 16.8 centimeters, it still managed to register one above average snowfall statistic.

As reported earlier this all has to do with another El Nino episode, which tend to occur every four to five years — and generally speaking, make precipitation predictions difficult.

However, to cope with what’s left of this winter, Matt is again suggesting rubber boots are likely a better footwear investment than snowshoes.