Whitehorse records snowiest December since 1980, says Environment Canada

After more than21 days of snow, December 2021 marks Whitehorse'ssecond snowiest on record, according to a federal meteorologist.

The level of precipitation this month has been at 280 per centof the December average, saidArmel Castellan, awarning preparedness meteorologist for Environment and Climate Change Canada.

"More impressive still, the [Whitehorse] airport has seen its eighth wettest December (and counting)on record," he wrotein an email to CBC News on Dec. 29.

The snow-on-ground measurement, which Environment and Climate Change Canada measures at the airport, found 58cmas ofDec. 31. The secondhighest historical record for the month of December.

The temperature and precipitation records date back to 1942in Whitehorse.The largest snow measurement was 65 cm in 1980, other notable years include53 cmin 1971 and 52 cmin 2013.

"The snow on the ground is showing some impressive early winter numbers," wrote Castellan.

Cold Arctic air meets warm, moist Pacific air

Michael Smith, chief meteorologist forthe Yukon Government, wrote in an email in late December, "this winter definitely stands out for snow depth and total precipitation" but he also notedit's "not record breaking."

He said the reason for all the snow has to do withthe combination of air currents from different parts of the country, meeting overtop of Whitehorse.

"The cause of this snowy Decemberhas been the prevalence of cold Arctic air in southern Yukon, combined with warmer, moist air from the Pacific. When the two collide over southern Yukon is where Whitehorse tends to get its snowier months," explained Smith.

The Yukon Government has its own weather monitoring at the Whitehorse automatic weather station. On Dec. 29 the territorial governmentreported57 cm of snow at the weather station.In years past, said Smith, there was44 cmin 2020, 15cm in 2019, 10 cm in 2018, and 11cm in 2017.

The record fordaily snow on groundstill remains in the winter of 1980-81.

But streets covered with a white, winter coatare not the only thing Yukoners are noticing when stepping outside of their front door.Environment Canada saidthe Yukon has had a colder start to winter which, metereorologically, begins on Dec. 1.

As of Wednesday, temperatures had been between sixand sevendegrees colder than average December temperatures, setting it on track to be the nineteenth coldest December on record.

Castellan saidpeople can expect colder-than-averagetemperatures over the next week, with lowsaround the mid 40's C in early January, before factoring in windchill.

Castellan said the normal high in late December in Whitehorse is 13 C, and the low is22 C.