Sunday 23 September 2012

Unusual September Cold Now Breaking Records

     It was a frigid start to the morning in southern Manitoba today as temperatures dipped well-below zero. Winnipeg's low of -7.1°C at the airport breaks the 133 year old record of -6.1°C in 1879. It was also the coldest September night in the city in 47 years (-7.2°C Sep 26, 1965), the 5th coldest September night on record since 1872, and the 2nd earliest of its kind for the season.

     The Forks dropped to the freezing mark for the first time this season (0.0°C to be specific), technically ending the growing season in the city. This is about 2 weeks earlier than normal, as the normal first 0°C or lower night at The Forks is October 5.

     It got down to -5.0°C at my place in the south end. Some other areas around the city got even colder than Winnipeg. Lows of -8.5°C in Emerson and Fisher Branch, and -9°C in Dugald were seen.

     It will be a much warmer night tonight as lows are expected to be in the mid to high single digits (above zero!).

     Perhaps an even bigger story however, is the dryness. Only 4 mm of rain has been recorded at the airport this month, and no significant rainfall is expected this week. There may be some rain next weekend, but it is too far out to confirm. If we do not see much rain before the end of September, this would end up as the second or third driest September on record. Will keep you all updated.

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