Monthly precipitation below average for January
By Lone Sheep Publishing
The Southeast Fire Centre Weather Services said in the monthly synopsis that total monthly precipitation for January 2023 was 14% below average.
The decrease in precipitation, and warmer temperatures, may have been due to persistent influx of maritime air over the area.
“Temperatures remained unusually mild during the majority of this period because a persistent influx of maritime air into the area usually has a warming effect during the winter months,” the Southeast Fire Centre Weather Services said.
“The mean monthly temperature was -0.2 degrees, which is about a degree and a half warmer than average.”
The Southeast Fire Centre Weather Services said a series of at least eight Pacific frontal systems of varying size, age, and intensity passed over the area during the first three weeks of the month within a southwesterly, westerly, or northwesterly flow aloft.
“Beginning on (January) 28th, a colder northerly flow gained control of the large-scale pattern between a strong offshore ridge and a deep upper trough over central North America,” the Southeast Fire Centre Weather Services said.
The Southeast Fire Centre Weather Services said a surface-based Arctic airmass, supported by this shift in the upper flow pattern, was able to push southward over the area during the last several days of the month bringing a significant downturn in temperatures that didn’t start to warm again until early February.
The Southeast Fire Centre Weather Services said total rainfall was more than twice the average amount and total snowfall was around one quarter of normal.
Environment Canada forecast calls for a mix of sun and cloud for the remainder of the week, with temperatures hovering above zero degrees.
There’s a chance of rain showers or flurries on the weekend.
