Atlantic Canada endures worst winter in recent years

Saturday, February 22, 2014, 3:36 PM -

This Winter has given Atlantic Canadians a little bit of everything. 

In Halifax, things really began rolling in mid-December. There, it’s been colder, rainier and snowier than normal each and every month this season. 

"Every winter month in Halifax for this winter has been above normal for rain," explains Weather Network meteorologist Dayna Vettese. "December and January in Halifax were above normal for snow, February is close to normal so far."

RELATED: Another day, another storm in Atlantic Canada

Meanwhile, Charlottetown, P.E.I. has been above normal for rain but is about 100 cm above normal for snow.

St. John’s, N.L. picked up 117 cm before the New Year. 

Over in New Brunswick, it was an ice storm that knocked out power to thousands over the holiday season. 

So, why has this season been particularly rougher than the last few years? 

"The reasoning why we've had so many storms in Atlantic Canada can really be blamed on the positioning of the jet stream," says Vettese. " We've had low after low, make its way into Atlantic Canada no matter its origins. Now, we've certainly been colder, snowier and rainier right across Atlantic Canada, but that doesn't necessarily mean next winter is going to be like this. We do have a ways to go though before we head into spring."

The New Year kicked off with a blizzard in Halifax and another Nor'easter mid month. 

The groundhog gave a glimmer of hope on February 2, but with snow coming down the following week, reality set it. 

All-in-all, it's just been one of those winters. To find another one like it, you'd have to go all the way back to 2001. 

"The 2000-2001 winter was also relentless like this," recalled Vettese. "It was cold, snowy and long. There were snowfall records broken and a few months without any serious thawing. Huge amounts of snow and continuous snow cover had snowfall removal budgets maxing out." 

Let's hope it’s only once every 13 years!