Precipitation only 70% of October norm

Three quarters of the way through the month, the posted precipitation total at the local airport weather station represents only 70% of the October norm.

The month-to-date total is 21.6 mm, but the below average pace is not due to a below average rainfall, as that month-to-date total, also 21.6 mm, is already well ahead of the October norm of 13.3.

The difference goes to snowfall and this year there has been none in October – a month which normally posts nearly 20 cm, a total which was nearly doubled last year with a full month post of 39.2 – all but six cm of it falling in a one week period that began a year ago today.

Last year’s October 23rd total was 9.5 cm and when the 29th was over the aforementioned seven day airport station post was up 33.2.

Combined with 14.6 mm of rain it resulted in a monthly precipitation total of 53.3.

However, it should also be noted that just two years ago we went through the entire month without officially recording any snow and finished it with less than 40% of the October precipitation average.

In fact, in recent years, the airport weather station October snowfall and precipitation numbers reveal a curious odds and even pattern, with the last three even years, all posting above average monthly totals, and this year on pace, to become the third consecutive odd year with below average numbers.