December 2011 Summary

December was much warmer and wetter than average

Yet another warm month, in fact there was only 1 day (the 10th) that was colder than average, making it just like November at 3.6 degrees warmer than average overall.  However, as we have seen many above average Decembers in the past 10 years, we only have to go back to 2006 to find a warmer one.

One interesting story was the lack of cold temperatures, the minimum temperature during the month was -9.9°C.  Only back in 1974 was there a December when the minimum temperature was higher (-7.8°C).

It was a consistently wet month with lots of days with some precipitation for a total of 94.0 mm compared to an average of 71.1 mm.  We saw 17.5 cm of snow during the month which is less than half of the average of 38.5 cm.

Summary for December 2011:
Maximum Temperature 11.9°C
Minimum Temperature -9.9°C
Average Daily High Temperature 2.7°C (Long term average -0.4°C)
Average Daily Low Temperature -3.4°C (Long term average -7.5°C)
Total Precipitation 94.0 mm (Long term average 71.1 mm)

(Long term averages based on 1971-2000 data for the Waterloo Wellington Airport)

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Fall 2011 Summary

A very warm fall that was also the wettest on record

The fall was over 2.5 degrees warmer than average, the heat was very consistent throughout the entire season except for a relatively cool week at the end of October. But even for that week it was only 3 or 4 degrees colder than average compared too many days that were more than 5 degrees warmer throughout the fall. However, as we have seen many warm falls in the recent past, we only have to go back to 2001 to find one that was hotter.

It was a very wet fall with 349.2 mm of total precipitation compared to the average of only 218.1 mm. This was the highest fall precipitation I could find, just beating out 1955 which had 339.5 mm.

There was only 5 cm of snow recorded this fall which is much less than the average of 30 cm. The fall of 1998 was the last time we have seen anything like this, as that year we only had 2 cm.

Summary for Fall 2011:
Maximum Temperature 26.7 °C
Minimum Temperature -9.7 °C
Average Daily High Temperature 10.7 °C (Long term average 8.3 °C)
Average Daily Low Temperature 2.5 °C (Long term average -0.5 °C)
Total Precipitation 349.2 mm (Long term average 218.1 mm)

(Long term averages based on 1970-2000 data for the Waterloo Wellington Airport)

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November 2011 Summary

The 5th warmest November on record that was also wetter than average

It was another warm month at an incredible 3.6 degrees higher than average. You have to go back to October of 2007 to find a month that was this much above average. As well, it was the warmest November since 2001 and the 5th warmest since records began in the region (the warmest was 1931 at 4.3 degrees above average).

Up until the last couple of days of the month it was looking like a dry month, however an amazing 51 mm on the 29th put us in the above average range. The final total was 106.6 mm compared to an average of 82.3 mm.

There has now been 1047.6 mm of precipitation this year, well over the average of 932.9 mm and the third most ever recorded for the end of November. However, we will have to get over 140 mm in December to beat the all time annual record.


Summary for November 2011:
Maximum Temperature 17.7°C
Minimum Temperature -4.6°C
Average Daily High Temperature 9.8°C (Long term average 5.6°C)
Average Daily Low Temperature 1.6°C (Long term average -1.6°C)
Total Precipitation 106.6 mm (Long term average 82.3 mm)

(Long term averages based on 1971-2000 data for the Waterloo Wellington Airport)

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Longest frost free season ever seen

On the morning of October 23rd at 4:45 am the temperature went below zero for the first time since the spring.  It stayed below zero for almost 4 hours with the lowest temperature being -0.9°C.

The bigger news is that by my calculations the frost free season went from May 1st to October 22nd this year which is a total of 175 days.  This is the longest frost free season I have been able to find since records began in the region in 1915.  This year just beat out 1941 when they had a stretch of 174 days above zero. 

For full disclosure I just want to mention that there isn't enough data for 1937 and 1938 to be included in the analysis.

Wettest day in over a year

The 51.6 mm of rain in the 24 hours between 8 am on the 19th and 20th was the single wettest day we have had since July 23rd, 2010 when we had 62.5 mm.