winter of 1919-1920

[Ottawa Blizzard]

I was wondering if anyone had any information about the winter of 1919-1920 and what may have led to the extremely cold conditions of that year. According to Environment canada's climate data, both Toronto and Ottawa experienced very cold and snowy conditions that year, with this being one of the few years I can find where Toronto's snow totals were even close to Ottawa's - 1944-45 was the other year. Was it a La Nina year?

http://www.climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/climateData/dailydata_e.html?timeframe=2&Prov=ONT&StationID=5052&dlyRange=1895-11-01|1968-01-31&Year=1920&Month=1&Day=1 (January 1920 in Agincourt, a suburb of Toronto. That is exceptionally cold by Toronto standards!

http://www.climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/climateData/dailydata_e.html?timeframe=2&Prov=ONT&StationID=5052&dlyRange=1895-11-01|1968-01-31&Year=1920&Month=2&Day=1 (February 1920 in Agincourt)

Now for Ottawa's readings:

http://www.climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/climateData/dailydata_e.html?timeframe=2&Prov=ONT&StationID=4333&dlyRange=1889-11-01|2011-09-26&Year=1920&Month=1&Day=1 (January 1920 - now that's cold!)

[tacoman25]

I believe it was a weak -ENSO year.

[Ottawa Blizzard]

I believe it was a weak -ENSO year.

do similar conditions exist this year?

[bluewave]

Big -EPO winter that was the third coldest on record for NYC since 1870.

[Snowstorms]

I was wondering if anyone had any information about the winter of 1919-1920 and what may have led to the extremely cold conditions of that year. According to Environment canada's climate data, both Toronto and Ottawa experienced very cold and snowy conditions that year, with this being one of the few years I can find where Toronto's snow totals were even close to Ottawa's - 1944-45 was the other year. Was it a La Nina year?

http://www.climate.w...0&Month=1&Day=1 (January 1920 in Agincourt, a suburb of Toronto. That is exceptionally cold by Toronto standards!

http://www.climate.w...0&Month=2&Day=1 (February 1920 in Agincourt)

Now for Ottawa's readings:

http://www.climate.w...0&Month=1&Day=1 (January 1920 - now that's cold!)

You think thats cold, check 1917-1918 LOL. It was much snowier too and thus far it seems like a reasonable analogue when comparing it to this year.

As for the NAO/AO, they were both positive that Winter but the -EPO contributed to quite the cold Winter and given the -PDO and +PNA the Aleutian Ridge was centered further West allowing the trough to stay stationary across the East.

[uncle W]

NYC had a very cold winter in 1919-20 with heavy snow and ice...In February 1920 NYC had a three straight days (over 72 hours) with frozen precipitation falling...When the storm was over 17.5" of snow and sleet with freezing rain fell from 4.20" of precipitation...

[okie333]

I feel that 98-99 is not getting nearly enough attention as an analog for this winter

[tacoman25]

I feel that 98-99 is not getting nearly enough attention as an analog for this winter

It was getting some attention last year. Seems that the late 1990s Ninas have finally been abandoned as analogs, thank God. They performed horribly each of the last three -ENSO winters.

[okie333]

It was getting some attention last year. Seems that the late 1990s Ninas have finally been abandoned as analogs, thank God. They performed horribly each of the last three -ENSO winters.

Who said anything about the late 1990s? I was talking about 1898-99.

[HM]

I feel that 98-99 is not getting nearly enough attention as an analog for this winter

What's wrong with 1879-80?

[Ottawa Blizzard]

Big -EPO winter that was the third coldest on record for NYC since 1870.

man, what would I give for a set up like that this winter!!

[Ottawa Blizzard]

You think thats cold, check 1917-1918 LOL. It was much snowier too and thus far it seems like a reasonable analogue when comparing it to this year.

As for the NAO/AO, they were both positive that Winter but the -EPO contributed to quite the cold Winter and given the -PDO and +PNA the Aleutian Ridge was centered further West allowing the trough to stay stationary across the East.

September 1917 was much cooler than this September has been though

[tacoman25]

Who said anything about the late 1990s? I was talking about 1898-99.

Ah, I see. While I am not at all against incorporating really old analogs, I think they have to be weighted lower for a variety of reason - foremost being we just don't have as detailed or accurate information on anything back then, except temperature patterns. Anything index related is much more sketchy.