Submitted by Bill Caulfeild-Browne
November was 3C above normal, continuing the trend of the last fifteen months. The first eleven days were particularly warm with the daily highs almost all in the teens. The mercury hit 16.2C on the 6th. The first frost on Big Tub Harbour didn’t arrive until the 9th; at -0.4C it had no discernible effect on plants. Even the coldest night, on the 13th, only got down to -1.7C
But we did get a taste of winter at the very end of the month. 35mm of moisture fell as heavy wet snow; this approximates to a depth 35cm, though it felt more when shovelling. The storm continued into December 1st for a total accumulation of nearly half a metre.
Total precipitation for the month was 98mm, well above the norm of 68mm, but very welcome after our exceptionally dry October. The rainiest day was the 4th when the heavens delivered 25mm, or an inch of rain.
Our most significant event occurred on November first. The aforementioned warmth was accompanied by winds in some areas gusting to 80km/hr, resulting in the entire Peninsula losing power. Hydro One reported 13,000 customers were affected.
Tobermory’s weather was typical of the Province as a whole. Pretty much everywhere saw temperatures between 2C and 4C above normal. One of the hottest spots was St. Catherines which reached 25C on the fifth.
Northern Ontario saw the Trans Canada Highway closed several times on November 25th and 26th – a reminder that winter is coming!
