News Release
Ontario Weather Review
February 2011
February 2011 was a normal month for most Ontario locations in terms of mean temperatures and precipitations.
Mean temperatures did not stray from normal as the majority of areas remained seasonal. A few exceptions were Elliot Lake, which experienced colder temperatures than normal and Petawawa which experienced warmer temperatures than normal.
Several storm systems traveled through the south of Ontario this month, resulting in seasonal to above seasonal snowfall and total precipitation amounts. London and Muskoka received almost twice the snowfall amount normally expected for February. Windsor received over three times the normal snowfall amount. For total precipitation Windsor received more than normal, while Kingston received less. Northern Ontario has received low to seasonal snowfall and precipitation amounts, with the exception of Moosonee that received more precipitations than normal.
Severe Weather
February started off with a bang as a strong low pressure system moved northeastward from the Central United States into Eastern Canada. The system brought general accumulations of 15 to 25 centimetres of snow over a two day period to parts of southern Ontario, with locally higher amounts. With strong northeasterly winds forecast, in addition to low visibility due to snow and blowing snow, a blizzard warning was issued on February 1 for regions extending from Hamilton to Sarnia – the first time a wide-spread blizzard warning had been issued in southern Ontario since March 1993. Unlike the mid-western United States, where some areas received in excess of 50 centimetres of snow, snowfall amounts in southern Ontario did not attain the forecasted 30 to 40 centimetres. Schools closed and many people stayed home from work and off the roads.
A second low pressure system moved through the Windsor – London area days later creating whiteout conditions throughout the region. The London Airport reported 17.5 centimetres of snow on February 5.
A taste of spring mid-month allowed for some relief from the cold and snow as temperatures rose throughout Ontario. In Kenora, temperatures rose 15 degrees Celcius above seasonal values, and in southern Ontario, the warm air mass broke single-day high temperature records. A strong cold front followed the warm air on February 18 bringing wind gusts of 80 to 90 kilometres per hour throughout southern Ontario. Fallen trees, power outages and structural damage were blamed on the gusty wind conditions. In some areas near Barrie, blowing snow resulted in the Ontario Provincial Police closing roads that became too dangerous for travel.
On February 20, a Colorado low pressure system tracked towards Lake Erie and provided yet another significant snowfall event for the Windsor-Essex County region. The Windsor Airport reported 29 centimetres from this system, smashing their total February snowfall record of 66.8 centimetres set in 1986, after accumulating 89.6 centimetres this month.
Temperature and Precipitation Tables
| Location | Mean Temp | Normal | Difference | Warmest since / Coldest since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petawawa | -8,6 | -11,1 | 2,5 | 2010 (Warmest since) |
| Elliot Lake | -9,7 | -6,8 | -2,9 | 2008 (Coldest since) |
| Location | Snowfall | Normal | Difference | Previous Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windsor | 89.6 | 27.5 | 62.1 | 1986 (66.8) |
| Endroit | Accumulation de neige | Normale | Écart | Plus importantes depuis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muskoka | 100,0 | 52,8 | 47,2 | 2008 |
| London | 71,5 | 38,1 | 33,4 | 1985 |
| Location | Precipitation | Normal | Difference | Driest since / Wettest since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston | 36,2 | 66,4 | -30,2 | 2010 (Driest since) |
| Windsor | 101,4 | 57,3 | 44,1 | 2008 (Wettest since) |
| Moosonee | 52,5 | 22,7 | 29,8 | 2007 (Wettest since) |
Note: The normal period used is the 1971-2000 Climate Normals
Media: For more information, please contact:
Laurie Thibeault
Communications Officer
Environment Canada - Ontario
905-336-4711
- Date Modified: