The month of December had its own extremes coming as it did on the heels of Canada’s worst weather disaster from flooding in November.
The first day of December dawned after the “monsoon rains” of November and achieved a record-breaking 18 C, according to Roger Pannett, volunteer weather observer for Environment Canada at Chilliwack
“It was the warmest December day in Chilliwack since the all-time maximum record of 19 C on Dec. 27, 1980,” Pannett report.
There were three record-high temperatures set on Dec. 1:
“With a predominant classic ridge of high pressure over the north Pacific, generally cold, moist conditions prevailed throughout December,” Pannett said.
Arctic air and moisture intensified after mid-month.
“It was the coldest Christmas Day since 1971 and the snowiest since 2008.”
During the last week below-zero temps and snowy conditions prevailed, with five low temperature records, plus wind chill , were set.
Records set on Dec. 26:
Low min -12.2 C ( -12.1 C). -10.8 C in 1996;
Low mean -11.75 C ( -13.95 C) -8.7 C in 1971;
Low max -11.3 C ( -15.9 C ) -7.4 C in 1934.
Both the month and year concluded with colder temperatures, but clear, sunny skies, with “hope for a better and brighter New Year to come.”
With mean temperatures 2.94 C below normal, at 0.36 C, it was the coldest December since 2008.
Rainfall was 55 per cent below normal, but snowfall was 179 per cent above normal.
However with total precipitation 38.9 per cent below normal it was the 23rd consecutive December with below the 30 year average.
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