Heavy Snowfalls at Toronto 1846 to 2016

[Roger Smith]

Toronto (city) snowfalls of 20 cm (8") 1846-2015

 

(2-day total amounts to include overnight storms)

 

 

This list is compiled from both old printed records and generally matching now available on-line data for the period 1846-1979 and from the on-line records since 1980. Canada measured precipitation in inches until about 1977 when metric conversion was introduced. Therefore anything in this list that occurred in 1976 or earlier was measured in inches (and I have the old printed records that were produced before metric conversion). The snowfalls listed are two-day totals to catch overnight events, generally speaking two consecutive days with significant snowfall represent one snowfall event although there might be exceptions and in a few cases a three-day total might be needed to capture the full storm. Toronto has weather records from March, 1840 but no snowfall records survive from then to autumn 1845 as well as some parts of winter 1847-48. ... The heaviest 2-day snowfalls in winters that failed to produce one of these listed storms are also shown in order below the table.

 

The snowfalls are listed in order. Third day additions of more than 1.0" are noted for some of the heavier falls, or additions of 4.0" are noted in all cases. Two storms are probably involved where two heavy falls are separated by a small amount over three days (e.g. Feb 28-Mar 1 1852). The cutoff amount is 7.5" or 19.1 cm.

 

One list would be too long for one post -- as a result, the first post now includes all snowfalls of 10.0" or greater, the second post has all between 7.5" and 9.9" while the third post now lists all winters that failed to produce one two-day event over 7.4" in the order of futility. 

 

Added feature: for each entry, all lesser snowfalls in same winter are listed by rank only after any details of three-day totals. This makes it easier to get a full picture of the winter's snowfall events. This is also done for 2nd and 3rd ranked storms where applicable but only the lesser amounts are listed, to find higher amounts, make a note of storm rank then go up through the "other events" until you come to the ranking of the storm you're investigating and that will identify the next higher amount. Make sure you apply it to the right winter as the ties make this less than an automatic "find." ... Also new, I have added the value of the 2nd-ranked snowfall with date for those winters in these tables without a second listing. Those additions are in the same column as "other events."

 

 

Rank _ Dates, year __ 2-day am't (cm) (in) __ notes _________ details of 3-day totals __ other events

 

01 __ Dec 25-26 1872 ____ 58.4 __ 23.0 ___  heaviest 1872-73 __________________ 5t, 50, 201t,201t

02 __ Dec 11-12 1944 ____ 57.2 __ 22.5 ___ heaviest 1944-45 __________________ (2nd 4.8" Feb 4 45)

03 __ Feb 20-21 1846 ____ 55.9 __ 22.0 ___  heaviest 1845-46 __________________ 44t, 119t

04 __ Mar 15-16 1870 ____ 50.8 __ 20.0 ___  heaviest 1869-70 _ (1.5" 17th, 3d 21.5") _ 5t,21t

05t__ Mar 26-27 1870 ____ 49.5 __ 19.5 ___  _ _ 2nd (1869-70) __________________ 21t

05t__ Jan 23-24 1873 ____ 49.5 __ 19.5 ___ _ _ 2nd (1872-73) __________________ 50, 201t,201t

07t__ Feb 14 ... ..1850 ____45.7 __ 18.0 ___  heaviest 1849-50 _________________(2nd 7.0" Mar17-18 50)

07t__ Jan 20-21 1867 ____ 45.7 __ 18.0 ___  heaviest 1866-67 __________________ 13, 171t

07t__ Feb 5-6 ... 1863 ____ 45.7 __ 18.0 ___  heaviest 1862-63 _ (1.0" 4th, 3d 19.0") __ 201t

07t__ Feb 24-25 1868 ____ 45.7 __ 18.0 ___  heaviest 1867-68 _ (1.0" 23rd, 3d 19.0") _ (2nd Jan 14 68)

 

11 _ Feb 28-Mar 1 1900 ___45.2 __ 17.8 ___  heaviest 1899-1900 ________________ 61

12 __ Jan 22-23 1966 ____ 42.2 __ 16.6 ___  heaviest 1965-66 _________________ (2nd 6.5" Jan 7-8 66)

13 __ Mar 21-22 1867 ____ 41.9 __ 16.5 ___ _ _ 2nd (1866-67) _________________ 171t

14 __ Mar 25-26 1876 ____ 41.2 __ 16.2 ___  heaviest 1875-76 __________________ 18t, 36

15 __ Dec 4-5 ... 1898 ____ 40.6 __ 16.0 ___  heaviest 1898-99 _________________ 145t, 201t

16t__ Jan 8-9 ... .1884 ____ 39.9 __ 15.7 ___  heaviest 1883-84 _ (2.0" 10th, 3d 17.7")_ (2nd 5.6" Mar 7-8 84)

16t__ Jan 21-22 1902 ____ 39.9 __ 15.7 ___  heaviest 1901-02 _________________(2nd 5.7" Dec 17-18 01)

18t__ Mar 20-21 1876 ____ 39.4 __ 15.5 ___ _ _ 2nd (1875-76) __________________ 36

18t__ Mar 8-9 ....1931 ____ 39.4 __ 15.5 ___  heaviest 1930-31 ________(2nd 6.1" Jan 29-30, Feb 19-20, 31)

20 __ Jan 2-3 ....1999 ____ 38.4 __ 15.1 ___  heaviest 1998-99 __________________ 44t, 56t

 

21t__ Dec 29 ... ..1855 ____38.1 __ 15.0 ___  heaviest 1855-56 __________________119t

21t__ Mar 12-13 1870 ____ 38.1 __ 15.0 ___  _ _ 3rd (1869-70)

23t__ Feb 2-3 ....1910 ____ 36.8 __ 14.5 ___  heaviest 1909-10 ________________ (2nd 4.2" Dec 25 09) 

23t__ Feb 7-8 ... 2013 ____ 36.8 __ 14.5 ___  heaviest 2012-13 ________________ (2nd 6.5" Dec 26-27 12)

25 __ Feb 21-22 1950 ____ 36.0 __ 14.2 ___  heaviest 1949-50 __________________ 98t, 201t,201t

26 __ Jan 18-19 1864 ____ 35.6 __ 14.0 ___  heaviest 1863-64 ______________ (2nd 5.0" 4-5,14-15 Jan 64)

27 __ Dec 27-28 1968 ____ 35.3 __ 13.9 ___  heaviest 1968-69 _(2.0" on 26th, 3d 15.8")_(2nd 4.1" 3-4 Feb 69)

28 __ Jan 23-24 1886 ____ 35.1 __ 13.8 ___  heaviest 1885-86 _________________ 169t

29 __ Feb 25-26 1960 ____ 34.3 __ 13.5 ___  heaviest 1959-60 _________________ 142t

30 __ Dec 15-16 2007 ____ 33.8 __ 13.3 ___  heaviest 2007-08 _ (1.0" on 14th, 3d 14.3") _ 74t, 89t, 103t

 

31t__ Feb 17-18 1871 ____ 33.0 __ 13.0 ___  heaviest 1870-71 __________________ 62

31t__ Feb 20-21 1898 ____ 33.0 __ 13.0 ___  heaviest 1897-98 ______________ (2nd 6.4" Feb 14-15 98)

31t__ Jan 1-2 ....1932 ____ 33.0 __ 13.0 ___  heaviest 1931-32 (heavy rain also fell) _ (2nd 6.5" Mar 20-21 32)

31t__ Mar 16-17 1936 ____ 33.0 __ 13.0 ___  heaviest 1935-36 ______________ (2nd 6.6" Dec 12-13 35)

35 __ Dec 19-20 1973 ____ 32.7 __ 12.9 ___  heaviest 1973-74 ______________ (2nd 6.8" Jan 8-9 74)

36 __ Nov30-Dec1 1875 __ 32.0 __ 12.6 ___ _ _ 3rd (1875-76)

37t__ Jan 30-31 1852 ____ 31.8 __ 12.5 ___  heaviest 1851-52 ______________ 119t, 145t

37t__ Mar 18-19 1883 ____ 31.8 __ 12.5 ___  heaviest 1882-83 _______________ 98t

37t__ Nov 24-25 1950 ____ 31.8 __ 12.5 ___  heaviest 1950-51 _(3.0" on 26th, 3d 15.5")_ 96t

40 __ Feb 24-25 1965 ____ 31.5 __ 12.4 ___  heaviest 1964-65 _______________ 72t, 157t

 

41 __ Feb 20-21 1924 ____ 31.0 __ 12.2 ___  heaviest 1923-24 _(2.0" 19th, 3d 14.2") _131t

42t__ Dec 10-11 1992 ____ 30.8 __ 12.1 ___  heaviest 1992-93 ________________ 67t

42t__ Mar 12-13 1968 ____ 30.7 __ 12.1 ___  heaviest 1967-68 ________________ 53t

44t__ Feb 15-16 1846 ____ 30.5 __ 12.0 ___ _ _ 2nd (1845-46) _______________ 119t

44t__ Dec 22-23 1848 ____ 30.5 __ 12.0 ___  heaviest  1848-49 _______________ 201t

44t__ Mar 11 .... 1949 ____ 30.5 __ 12.0 ___  heaviest 1948-49 ________________196t

44t__ Feb 22-23 1869 ____ 30.5 __ 12.0 ___  heaviest  1868-69 _(5.5" 21st, 3d 17.5") _ 80t,145t,171t,201t

44t__ Jan 11-12 1999 ____ 30.4 __ 12.0 ___ _ _ 2nd (1998-99) ________________ 56t

49 __ Mar 3-4 ....1985 ____ 30.0 __ 11.8 ___  heaviest 1984-85 _______________ 171t, 201t

50 __ Mar 25-26 1873 ____ 29.7 __ 11.7 ___ _ _ 3rd (1872-73) _______________ 201t, 201t

 

51t__ Jan 26-27 2004 ____ 29.4 __ 11.6 ___  heaviest 2003-04 _____________ (2nd 3.7" Dec 13-14 03)

51t__ Dec 14-15 2013 ____ 29.3 __ 11.6 ___  heaviest 2013-14 _ (2.0" on 16th, 3d 13.6") _ 136t

53t__ Jan 15 ..... 1968 ____ 29.2 __ 11.5 ___ _ _ 2nd (1967-68) _ followed major freezing rain event 14th

53t__ Jan 9-10 .. 1977 ____ 29.2 __ 11.5 ___ heaviest 1976-77 ______________ (2nd 5.0" Jan 27-28 77)

53t__ Mar 3-4 ... 1881 ____ 29.2 __ 11.5 ___  heaviest 1880-81 _ (1.8" 5th, 3d 13.3") ____157t

56t__ Dec 2-3 ... 1890 ____ 28.7 __ 11.3 ___  heaviest 1890-91 ______________ (2nd 5.3" Jan 11-12 91)

56t__ Jan 25-26, 1895 ____ 28.7 __ 11.3 ___  heaviest 1894-95 _____________________ 67t

56t __ Jan 14-15 1999 ____ 28.6 __ 11.3 ___ _ _ 3rd (1998-99)

59t __ Feb 5-6 ....1911 ____ 28.5 __ 11.2 ___  heaviest 1910-11 ______________ (2nd 5.9" Nov 28-29 10)

59t __ Jan 2-3 .... 2003 ____28.4 __ 11.2 ___  heaviest 2002-03 _____________________133t, 184t

 

61 __ Feb 21-22 1900 ____ 28.2 __ 11.1 ___ _ _ 2nd (1899-1900)

62 __ Jan 25-26 1871 ____ 27,9 __ 11.0 ___ _ _ 2nd (1870-71)

63 __ Jan 18-19 1987 ____ 27.8 __ 10.9 ___  heaviest 1986-87 _ (2.0" on 17th, 3d 12.9") __ 96t

64t__ Dec 29-30 1876 ____ 27.5 __ 10.8 ___  heaviest 1876-77 _____________________ 67t, 136t

64t__ Jan 16-17 1920 ____ 27.5 __ 10.8 ___  heaviest 1919-20 _______________ (2nd 4.4" Jan 9-10 20)

66 __ Dec 1 .......1979 ____ 27.0 __ 10.6 ___  heaviest 1979-80 _____________________ 111t

67t__ Jan 25-26 1855 ____ 26.7 __ 10.5 ___  heaviest 1854-55 _____________________ 201t

67t__ Mar 20-21 1862 ____ 26.7 __ 10.5 ___  heaviest 1861-62 ______________________ 98t

67t__ Dec 17-18 1876 ____ 26.7 __ 10.5 ___ _ _ 2nd (1876-77) _____________________ 136t

67t__ Jan 18 ..... 1895 ____ 26.7 __ 10.5 ___ _ _ 2nd (1894-95)

67t__ Feb 21-22 1993 ____ 26.6 __ 10.5 ___ _ _ 2nd (1992-93)

 

72t__ Jan 15-16 1885 ____ 26.4 __ 10.4 ___  heaviest 1884-85 _______________ (2nd 7.0" Dec 24 1884)

72t__ Jan 23-24 1965 ____ 26.4 __ 10.4 ___ _ _ 2nd (1964-65) ______________________ 156t

74t__ Mar 4-5 ....2001 ____ 26.2 __ 10.3 ___  heaviest 2000-01 _______________________ 94t, 171t

74t__ Feb 5-6 ... 2008 ____ 26.2 __ 10.3 ___ _ _ 2nd (2007-08) _______________________ 89t, 103t

76 __ Jan 6-7 .... 1905 ____ 25.9 __ 10.2 ___  heaviest 1904-05 _ (3.1" 5th, 3d 13.3") _ (2nd 6.0" Jan 24 1905)

77t__ Mar 3-4 ... 1875 ____ 25.7 __ 10.1 ___  heaviest 1874-75 _ (4.0" 5th, 3d 14.1") _____ 160t, 171t, 191t

77t__ Dec 8-9 ... 1977 ____ 25.7 __ 10.1 ___  heaviest 1977-78 ______________________ 184t

77t__ Jan 6-7 ... 1994 ____ 25,6 __ 10.1 ___  heaviest 1993-94 ______________________ 160t

80t__ Feb 27-28 1847 ____ 25.4 __ 10.0 ___  heaviest 1846-47*______________ (2nd 7.3" Feb 21-22 47)* 

80t__ Dec 30-31 1852 ____ 25.4 __ 10.0 ___  heaviest 1852-53 ______________ (2nd 6.5" Dec 25 1852)

80t__ Dec 17-18 1859 ____ 25.4 __ 10.0 ___  heaviest 1859-60 ______________________ 119t, 201t

80t__ Feb 6-7 ... 1861 ____ 25.4 __ 10,0 ___  heaviest 1860-61 ______________ (2nd 7.0" in 3 events**)

80t__ Feb 2-3 ... 1869 ____ 25.4 __ 10.0 ___ _ _ 2nd (1868-69) ______________________ 145t, 171t, 201t

80t__ Dec 21 .... 1864 ____ 25.4 __ 10.0 ___  heaviest 1864-65 ______________________ 119t, 145t, 171t

80t__Jan 31-Feb 1 1908___25.4 __ 10.0 ___  heaviest 1907-08 ______________________ 107t, 131t

80t__ Jan 22-23 1915 ____ 25.4 __ 10.0 ___  heaviest 1914-15 _ (23.8" Jan 18-25 3 ev't) (2nd 7.0" Jan 25 1915)^

(87 total)

 

_____________________________________________________

 

* winter 1846-47 had no data for Nov-Dec 1846 ... and the 2nd place snowfall added 2.0" on Feb 23 for a total of 9.3" over 3d.

 

** 2nd 7.0" on Jan 23-24, Feb 1 and Feb 14-15 all 1861

 

^ also 6.6" 18th-19th Jan, 0.2" 20th for the total listed over eight days

[Roger Smith]

Part 2 -- Snowfalls of 7.5" to 9.9"

 

 

Rank _ Dates, year __ 2-day am't (cm) (in) __ notes __________ details of 3-day totals __ other events

 

 88 __ Dec 30-31 1853 ____ 25.2 ___ 9.9 ___ heaviest 1853-54 ________________ (2nd 6.5" Feb 25-26 54)

 89t__ Nov 26-27 1873 ____ 25.0 ___ 9.8 ___ heaviest 1873-74 __________________ 111t, 160t

 89t__ Dec 18-19 1982 ____ 25.0 ___ 9.8 ___ heaviest 1982-83_(1.3" on 20th, 3d 11.1")_(2nd 5.8" Mar 20-21 83)

 89t__ Feb 11-12 1988 ____ 25.0 ___ 9.8 ___ heaviest 1987-88 _________________ (2nd 3.6" Jan 7-8 88)

 89t__Jan 31-Feb 1 2008___25.0 ___ 9.8 ___ _ _ 3rd (2007-08) __________________ 74t, 103t

 89t__ Mar 25-26 1955 ____ 25.0 ___ 9.8 ___ heaviest 1954-55 ________________ (2nd 6.8" Jan31-Feb1 55)

 94t__ Feb 28-29 1984 ____ 24.6 ___ 9.7 ___ heaviest 1983-84 __________________ (2nd 5.0" Dec 27-28 83)

 94t__ Feb 7-8 ... 2001 ____ 24.6 ___ 9.7 ___ _ _ 2nd (2000-01) _________________ 171t

 96t__Jan31 - Feb1 1951___24.4 ___ 9.6 ___ _ _ 2nd (1950-51)

 96t__ Mar 30-31 1987 ____ 24.4 ___ 9.6 ___ _ _ 2nd (1986-87) _ (1.6" on Apr 1st, 3d 11.2")

 98t__ Feb 19-20 1862 ____ 24.1 ___ 9.5 ___ _ _ 2nd (1861-62)

 98t__ Feb 2-3 ... 1883 ____ 24.1 ___ 9.5 ___ _ _ 2nd (1882-83)

 98t__ Feb 27-28 1948 ____ 24.1 ___ 9.5 ___ heaviest 1947-48 __________________ (2nd 6.5" Jan 1-2 48)

 98t__ Feb 13-14 1950 ____ 24.1 ___ 9.5 ___ _ _ 2nd (1949-50) _________________ 201t, 201t

 98t__ Mar 1-2 ....1976 ____ 24.1 ___ 9.5 ___ heaviest 1975-76 _________________ 119t, 171t

 

103t__Feb 29 .... 1904 ____ 23.9 ___ 9.4 ___ heaviest 1903-04 _________________ (2nd 6.0" Jan 26 1904)

103t__Feb 16 .....1954 ____ 23.9 ___ 9.4 ___ heaviest 1953-54 _________________ 119t

103t__April 2-3 .. 1975 ____ 23.9 ___ 9.4 ___ heaviest 1974-75 _________________ (2nd 5.0" Mar 7 1975)

103t__Mar 7-8 ... 2008 ____ 23.9 ___ 9.4 ___ _ _ 4th (2007-08)

107t__Dec 14-15 1907 ____ 23.6 ___ 9.3 ___ _ _ 2nd (1907-08) ________________ 131t

107t__Mar 20-21 1998 ____ 23.6 ___ 9.3 ___ heaviest 1997-98 _________________ 119t

109t__Jan 30-31 1857 ____ 23.4 ___ 9.2 ___ heaviest 1856-57 _________________ 191t

109t__Mar 26-27 1934 ____ 23.4 ___ 9.2 ___ heaviest 1933-34 _________________ 119t

 

111t__Feb 6-7 ... 1874 ____ 23.4 ___ 9.2 ___ _ _ 2nd (1873-74) _________________160t

111t__Feb 23-24 1893 ____ 23.1 ___ 9.1 ___ heaviest 1892-93 _________________ (2nd 6.1" Feb 17-18 93)

111t__Feb 15-16 1909 ____ 23.1 ___ 9.1 ___ heaviest 1908-09 _ (2.0" 14th, 3d 11.1")_171t

111t__Mar 6-7 ... 1923 ____ 23.1 ___ 9.1 ___ heaviest 1922-23 __________________ 184t

111t__April 8-9 .. 1979 ____ 23.2 ___ 9.1 ___ heaviest 1978-79 _________________ (2nd 5.7" Apr 4-5 79)*

111t__Mar 10 .... 1964 ____ 23.1 ___ 9.1 ___ heaviest 1963-64 __________________ 145t

111t__Dec 18-19 1979 ____ 23.1 ___ 9.1 ___ _ _ 2nd (1979-80)

111t__Dec 31 86-Jan1 87__ 23.1 ___ 9.1 ___ heaviest 1886-87 __________________ 171t

 

119t__Feb 11-12 1846 ____ 22.9 ___ 9.0 ___ _ _ 3rd (1845-46)

119t__Feb 28-29 1852 ____ 22.9 ___ 9.0 ___ _ _ 2nd (1851-52) _ (7.0" Mar 1 16.0" 3d)_145t

119t__Dec 24-25 1855 ____ 22.9 ___ 9.0 ___ _ _ 2nd (1855-56)

119t__Feb 18 ... ..1860 ____ 22.9 ___ 9.0 ___ _ _ 2nd (1859-60)

119t__Feb 7-8 ... 1865 ____ 22.9 ___ 9.0 ___ _ _ 2nd (1864-65) __________________145t, 171t

119t__Mar 4-5 ... 1917 ____ 22.9 ___ 9.0 ___ heaviest 1916-17 _________________ (2nd 6.9" Jan 13-14 1917)

119t__Dec 26 .... 1933 ____ 22.9 ___ 9.0 ___ _ _ 2nd (1933-34)

119t__Mar 5-6 ....1943 ____ 22.9 ___ 9.0 ___ heaviest 1942-43 _________________ (2nd 7.0" Jan 3-4 1943)

119t__Dec 13-14 1951 ____ 22.9 ___ 9.0 ___ heaviest 1951-52 __________________ 133t

119t__Jan 26-27 1954 ____ 22.9 ___ 9.0 ___ _ _ 2nd (1953-54)

119t__Dec 19-20 1975 ____ 22.9 ___ 9.0 ___ _ _ 2nd (1975-76) _________________ 171t

119t__Nov 13-14 1997 ____ 22,8 ___ 9.0 ___ _ _ 2nd (1997-98)

 

131t__Feb 5-6 ....1908 ____ 22.6 ___ 8.9 ___ _ _ 3rd (1907-08)

131t__Feb 4-5 ... 1924 ____ 22,6 ___ 8.9 ___ _ _ 2nd (1923-24)

133t__Mar 1-2 ....1947 ____ 22.4 ___ 8.8 ___ heaviest 1946-47 __________________ 160t, 167t

133t__Dec 17-18 1951 ____ 22.4 ___ 8.8 ___ _ _ 2nd (1951-52) _ (5.7" more on 20th, 4d 14,5")

133t__Nov 17-18 2002 ____ 22.4 ___ 8.8 ___ _ _ 2nd (2002-03) _________________ 184t

136t__Mar 14-15 1912 ____ 22.1 ___ 8.7 ___ heaviest 1911-12 __________________142t

136t__Nov 26-27 1876 ____ 22.1 ___ 8.7 ___ _ _ 3rd (1876-77)

136t__Jan 27-28 1889 ____ 22.1 ___ 8.7 ___ heaviest 1888-89 ______________ (2nd 6.0" Feb 18 & Mar 31 89)

136t__Jan 26-27 1967 ____ 22.1 ___ 8.7 ___ heaviest 1966-67 __________________ 196t

136t__Feb 4-5 ... 2014 ____ 22.1 ___ 8.7 ___ _ _ 2nd (2013-14)

136t__Dec 10-11 2014 ____ 22.0 ___ 8.7 ___ heaviest 2014-15 _________________ (2nd 7.1" Feb 1-2 2015)

 

142t__Feb 21-22 1912 ____ 21.8 ___ 8.6 ___ _ _ 2nd (1911-12)

142t__Jan 26-27 1960 ____ 21.8 ___ 8.6 ___ _ _ 2nd (1959-60)

142t__Feb 14-15 1990 ____ 21.8 ___ 8.6 ___ heaviest 1989-90 _________________ (2nd 5.8" Dec 14-15 89)

145t__Apr 5-6 ... 1852 ____ 21.6 ___ 8.5 ___ _ _ 3rd (1851-52)

145t__Feb 13-14 1858 ____ 21.6 ___ 8.5 ___ heaviest 1857-58 _________________ (2nd 6.5" Feb 1-2 58)

145t__Jan 1-2 ... 1869 ____ 21.6 ___ 8.5 ___ _ _ 3rd (1868-69) __________________ 171t, 201t

145t__Jan 9-10 .. 1865 ____21.6 ___ 8.5 ___ _ _ 3rd (1864-65) __________________ 171t

145t__Jan31-Feb1 1878___ 21.6 ___ 8.5 ___ heaviest 1877-78 _________________ (2nd 4.8" Feb 9-10 78)

145t__Nov 27-28 1889 ____ 21.6 ___ 8.5 ___ heaviest 1889-90 __________________ 189t

145t__Nov 10-11 1898 ____ 21.6 ___ 8.5 ___ _ 2nd (1898-99)_ (1.5" 9th, 3d 10.0") ___ 201t

_ ^ ^ ^ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ^ ^ ^ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ^ ^ ^ __ ___ ____ ___ EARLIEST IN WINTER

145t__Mar 30 ..... 1922 ____ 21.6 ___ 8.5 ___ heaviest 1921-22 (.89" rain 30-31) __ (2nd 6.6" Feb 21-22)**

145t__Dec 21-22 1955 ____ 21.6 ___ 8.5 ___ heaviest 1955-56 __________________ 196t

145t__Feb 6-7 ... 1964 ____ 21.6 ___ 8.5 ___ _ _ 2nd (1963-64)

145t__Dec 29-30 1971 ____ 21.6 ___ 8.5 ___ heaviest 1971-72 ________________ (2nd 7.3" Mar 13-14 72)

 

156t__Jan 21-22 .1881 ____ 21.3 ___ 8.4 ___ _ _ 2nd (1880-81)

156t__Feb 26-27 1946 ____ 21.3 ___ 8.4 ___ heaviest 1945-46 _________________ (2nd 5.7" Feb 19-20 46)

156t__Feb 14-15 1957 ____ 21.3 ___ 8.4 ___ heaviest 1956-57 _________________ (2nd 4.4" Apr 10-11 57)

156t__Jan 2 ....... 1965 ____ 21.3 ___ 8.4 ___ _ _ 3rd (1964-65)

160t__Dec 12-13 1873 ____ 21.1 ___ 8.3 ___ _ _ 3rd (1873-74)

160t__Jan 15-16 1875 ____ 21.1 ___ 8.3 ___ _ _ 2nd (1874-75) __________________ 171t, 191t

160t __April 20 ...1901 ____ 21.1 ___ 8.3 ___ heaviest 1900-01 _ LATEST IN WINTER _ 201t

160t__Dec 26-27 1920 ____ 21.1 ___ 8.3 ___ heaviest 1920-21 __________________ (2nd 6.2" Nov 17 1920)

160t__Jan 28-29, 1947 ____ 21.1 ___ 8.3 ___ _ _ 2nd (1946-47) _ (2.0" 30th, 3d 10.3") _ 167t

160t__Jan 30-31 1982 _____21.2 ___ 8.3 ___ heaviest 1981-82 ___________________ 171t

160t__Jan 16-17 1994 _____21.2 ___ 8.3 ___ _ _ 2nd (1993-94)

167t__Feb 12-13 1894 ____ 20.8 ___ 8.2 ___ heaviest 1893-94 ___________________ (2nd 7.1" Apr 10-11 94)

167t__Jan 1-2 .... 1947 ____ 20.8 ___ 8.2 ___ _ _ 3rd (1946-47)

169t__Jan 19-20 1886 _____20.6 ___ 8.1 ___ _ _ 2nd (1885-86)

169t__ Mar 10-11 1941 ____ 20.6 ___ 8.1 ___ heaviest 1940-41____________________ 191t

171t__Dec 10-11 1864 _____20.3 ___ 8.0 ___ _ _ 4th (1864-65) _ (4.0" Dec 9, 12.0" 3d)

171t__Jan 16-17 1867 _____20.3 ___ 8.0 ___ _ _ 3rd (1866-67)

171t__Mar 10 ..... 1869 ____ 20.3 ___ 8.0 ___ _ _ 4th (1868-69) ___________________ 201t

171t__Mar 1 ... ....1875 ____ 20.3 ___ 8.0 ___ _ _ 3rd (1874-75) ___________________ 191t

171t__Jan 9 ... .....1887 ____ 20.3 ___ 8.0 ___ _ _ 2nd (1886-87)

171t__Mar 3-4 .....1909 ____ 20.3 ___ 8.0 ___ _ _ 2nd (1908-09)

171t__Dec 8-9 .....1917 ____ 20.3 ___ 8.0 ___ heaviest 1917-18 ___________________ (2nd 6.5" Mar 9-10 18)

171t__Dec 25-26 1975 ____ 20.4 ___ 8.0 ___ _ _ 3rd (1975-76)

171t__Feb 5-6 ....1985 ____ 20.4 ___ 8.0 ___ _ _ 2nd (1984-85) ___________________ 201t

171t__Dec 19-20 2008 ____ 20.4 ___ 8.0 ___ heaviest 2008-09 ___________________ (2nd 5.3" Jan 17-18 09)

171t__Jan 12-13 1982 ____ 20.2 ___ 8.0 ___ _ _ 2nd (1981-82)

171t__Dec 11-12 2000 ____ 20.2 ___ 8.0 ___ _ _ 3rd (2000-01) _ (5.1" on 13th, 3d 13.1")

171t _ Feb 28-Mar 1 2005__ 20.2 ___ 8.0 ___ heaviest 2004-05 ___________________ 184t, 196t

 

184t__Jan 11-12 1923 ____ 20.1 ___ 7.9 ___ _ _ 2nd (1922-23)

184t__Feb 2-3 ....1961 ____ 20.1 ___ 7.9 ___ heaviest 1960-61 _________________ (2nd 6.1" Jan 26 1961)

184t__Dec 5-6 ... 1977 ____ 20.1 ___ 7.9 ___ _ _ 2nd (1977-78)

184t__Feb 22-23 2003 ____ 20.0 ___ 7.9 ___ _ _ 3rd (2002-03)

184t__Dec 22-23 2004 ____ 20.0 ___ 7.9 ___ _ _ 2nd (2004-05) ___________________ 196t

189t__Mar 28-29 1890 ____ 19.8 ___ 7.8 ___ _ _ 2nd (1889-90)

189t__Feb 18-19 1926 ____ 19.8 ___ 7.8 ___ heaviest 1925-26 _________________ (2nd 6.0" Jan31-Feb1 26)

191t__Nov 28-29 1856 ____ 19.6 ___ 7.7 ___ _ _ 2nd (1856-57)

191t__Nov 28-29 1874 ____ 19.6 ___ 7.7 ___ _ _ 4th (1874-75)

191t__Feb 11-12 1916 ____ 19.6 ___ 7.7 ___ heaviest 1915-16 __________________ (2nd Feb 24-25 1916)

191t__Nov 29-30 1940 ____ 19.6 ___ 7.7 ___ _ _ 2nd (1940-41)

191t__Nov 28-29 1958 ____ 19.6 ___ 7.7 ___ heaviest 1958-59 __________________ (2nd 6.9" Feb 22-23 59)

196t__ Feb 10-11 1944 ____ 19.4 ___ 7.6 ___ heaviest 1943-44 __________________ (2nd 6.0" Feb 14 1944)

196t__ Dec 30-31 1948 ____ 19.4 ___ 7.6 ___ _ _ 2nd (1948-49)

196t__ Jan 30-31 1956 ____ 19.4 ___ 7.6 ___ _ _ 2nd (1955-56)

196t__ Feb 1-2 ....1967 ____ 19.4 ___ 7.6 ___ _ _ 2nd (1966-67)

196t__ April 2-3 .. 2005 ____ 19.4 ___ 7.6 ___ _ _ 3rd (2004-05)

 

201t __Feb 17-18 1849 ____ 19.1 ___ 7.5 ___ _ _ 2nd (1848-49)

201t __Jan 28-29 1855 ____ 19.1 ___ 7.5 ___ _ _ 2nd (1854-55)

201t __Dec 28-29 1859 ____ 19.1 ___ 7.5 ___ _ _ 3rd (1859-60)

201t __Jan 15-16 1863 ____ 19.1 ___ 7.5 ___ _ _ 2nd (1862-63)

201t __Dec 4-5 ... 1868 ____ 19.1 ___ 7.5 ___ _ _ 5th (1868-69)

201t __Dec 19-20 1872 ____ 19.1 ___ 7.5 ___ _ _ tied 4th (1872-73)

201t __Mar 20-21 1873 ____ 19.1 ___ 7.5 ___ _ _ tied 4th (1872-73)

201t__ Feb 9-10 ..1896 ____ 19.1 ___ 7.5 ___ heaviest 1895-96 _______________ (tied with next entry)

201t__ Mar 20-21.1896 ____ 19.1 ___ 7.5 ___ _ (see previous entry)

201t__ Mar 18-19 1899 ____ 19.1 ___ 7.5 ___ _ _ 3rd (1898-99)

201t__ Jan 10-11 1901 ____ 19.1 ___ 7.5 ___ _ _ 2nd 1900-01 _ (2.8" 12th, 3d 10.3")

201t__ Mar 19-20 1906 ____ 19.1 ___ 7.5 ___ heaviest 1905-06 _______________ (2nd 3.4" Dec 2-3 1905)

201t__ Nov 24 .... 1949 ____ 19.1 ___ 7.5 ___ _ _ tied 3rd (1949-50)

201t__ Jan 6 ... ... 1950 ____ 19.1 ___ 7.5 ___ _ _ tied 3rd (1949-50)

201t __ Dec 15-16 1972 ____19.1 ___ 7.5 ___ heaviest 1972-73 _______________ (2nd 5.6" Mar 17-18 73)

201t__ Feb 11-12 1985 ____ 19.2 ___ 7.5 ___ _ _ 3rd (1984-85)

201t__ Feb 15-16 1997 ____ 19.2 ___ 7.5 ___ heaviest 1996-97 _______________ (2nd 6.6" Dec 30-31 96)

_____________________________________________________________________

 

217 total

 

* In 1979, 19.0 cm (7.5 in) fell over three days Jan 19-21 but the 5.5" 20-21 was third heaviest to the two events in April 1979).

 

** Nov 8-9 1921 had 6.4" just missing 2nd place by 0.2"

 

Note: metric equivalents to Imperial measure have some variations but the ranks are tied when the measurement in inches are tied.

 

[Roger Smith]

Part 3 -- Winters with no 2-day snowfall over 7.4"

 

 

____ Dec 21-22 1878 ___ 18.3 ___ 7.2 ___ heaviest 1878-79 

____ Nov 26-27 1902 ___ 18.3 ___ 7.2 ___ heaviest 1902-03

____ Nov 15-16 1932 ___ 18.3 ___ 7.2 ___ heaviest 1932-33

____ Feb 14 .....1962 ___ 18.3 ___ 7.2 ___  heaviest 1961-62

____ Feb 7-8 ....1971 ___ 18.3 ___ 7.2 ___  heaviest 1970-71

____ Jan 19-20 1914 ___ 18.1 ___ 7.1 ___ heaviest 1913-14

____ Apr 10-11 1939 ___ 18.1 ___ 7.1 ___ heaviest 1938-39

____ Mar 20-21 1940 ___ 17.8 ___ 7.0 ___ heaviest 1939-40

 

____ Dec 5-6 .... 1991___ 17.2 ___ 6.8 ___  heaviest 1991-92

____ Dec 21-22 1879 ___ 17.1 ___ 6.7 ____ heaviest 1879-80

____ Jan 8-9 .... 2011 ___ 16.8 ___ 6.6 ___  heaviest 2010-11 _ (2.1" 7th, 3d 8.7")

____ Feb 20-21 1927 ___ 16.7 ___ 6.6 ____ heaviest 1926-27

____ Dec 22-23 1850 ___ 16.3 ___ 6.5 ____ heaviest 1850-51

____ Feb 1 ... ... 1986 ___ 16.2 ___ 6.4 ___  heaviest 1985-86

____ Feb 1-2 ....1892 ___ 16.2 ___ 6.4 ____ heaviest 1891-92

____ Mar 24-25, 1930 ___ 16.0 ___ 6.3 ____ heaviest 1929-30

____ Feb 6-7 ...1942 ____ 16.0 ___ 6.3 ____ heaviest 1941-42

____ Feb 5-6 ...1872 ____ 15.8 ___ 6.2 ____ heaviest 1871-72

____ Dec 5-6 .. 1918 ____ 15.6 ___ 6.2 ____ heaviest 1918-19

____ Jan 25-26, 1958 ___ 15.5 ___ 6.1 ___  heaviest 1957-58

____ Jan 11-12, 1991 ___ 15.4 ___ 6.1 ___  heaviest 1990-91

____ Nov 27-28 1887 ___ 15.3 ___ 6.0 ____ heaviest 1887-88

____ Dec 11-12 1924 ___ 15.3 ___ 6.0 ____ heaviest 1924-25

____ Jan 14-15, 1929 ___ 15.2 ___ 6.0 ____ heaviest 1928-29

 

____ Feb 25-26, 2007 ___ 15.0 ___ 5.9 ___  heaviest 2006-07

____ Jan 26-27, 1928 ___ 15.0 ___ 5.9 ____ heaviest 1927-28

____ Jan 24-25, 1907 ___ 14.7 ___ 5.8 ____ heaviest 1906-07

____ Dec 9-10... 1994 ___ 14.4 ___ 5.7 ___  heaviest 1994-95

____ Jan 20-21 1897 ____ 14.5 ___ 5.7 ____ heaviest 1896-97

____ Mar 26-27 1913 ____14.0 ___ 5.5 ____ heaviest 1912-13

____ Feb 18-19 1866 ____14.0 ___ 5.5 ____ heaviest 1865-66

____ Dec 31 .....1937 ____14.0 ___ 5.5 ____ heaviest 1937-38

____ April 3-4 ....1996 ___ 13.6 ___ 5.3 ___  heaviest 1995-96

____ Mar 1-2 .... 2016 ___ 13.6 ___ 5.3 ___  heaviest 2015-16 (to date)

____ Dec 18-19. 1969 ___ 13.5 ___ 5.3 ___  heaviest 1969-70 _____ (2nd heaviest was 5.1" Oct 21 1969)

____ Jan 18-19, 2000 ___ 13.0 ___ 5.1 ___  heaviest 1999-2000

_Dec 29-30 58&Jan 10-11 59_12.7 _ 5.0 ____ heaviest 1858-59

____ Feb 10-11. 1981 ___ 12.8 ___ 5.0 ___  heaviest 1980-81

 

____ Dec 19-20 1936 ____11.9 ___ 4.7 ___ heaviest 1936-37

____ April 2-3 ... 2002 ___ 12.0 ___ 4.7 ___  heaviest 2001-02

____ Feb 2 ... ... 1953 ___ 11.7 ___ 4.6 ___  heaviest 1952-53

____ Mar 16-17  1989 ___ 11.4 ___ 4.5 ___  heaviest 1988-89

____ Nov 15 ..... 1881 ___ 11.2 ___ 4.4 ____ heaviest 1881-82

____ Feb 25-26  2010 ___ 10.8 ___ 4.3 ____ heaviest 2009-10

____ Jan 12-13 1935 ____ 10.4 ___ 4.1 ____ heaviest 1934-35

 

____ Dec 8 .... ...2005 ___ 10.0 ___ 3.9 ____  heaviest 2005-06

____ Dec 21-22 1962 ____ 9.9 ___ 3.9 ____  heaviest 1962-63

 

____ Jan 12-13  2012 ____ 6.0 ___ 2.5 ____  heaviest 2011-12**

 

 

** some missing data Dec 22 to Jan 10 but only light snowfalls at other Toronto area stations, so can be considered valid.

 

Note: 2016 now confirmed and a bit higher in the table than originally set, lowest ranks adjusted as a result.

[dmc76]

March 1870 FTW.

[snowstormcanuck]

March 1870 FTW.

 

Didn't you already compile a list like this?

[dmc76]

Didn't you already compile a list like this?

Yep

http://www.americanwx.com/bb/index.php/topic/39083-torontos-biggest-snowstorms-since-1855/

[snowstormcanuck]

Yep

http://www.americanwx.com/bb/index.php/topic/39083-torontos-biggest-snowstorms-since-1855/

 

3 years fly by like nothing

[Roger Smith]

Hey, I didn't know that other thread existed, somehow managed to miss it. However, this one will be more comprehensive and will give data for every winter, even the duds, which in itself may be interesting. I think that part 3 will take a bit longer than part 2, as I have a lot to do today and Saturday then also I have to do most of the work from the EC past weather section once I finish cross-checking printed material that I have up to 1979.

 

As some of you know, the Toronto City observatory was located at 315 Bloor St W near Varsity Stadium from about 1908 to the 1970s, and somewhere a bit further south before 1908 (on the university campus). It's my understanding that the site now called Toronto City has returned closer to that original location on the back campus of Trinity College south of Varsity Stadium. These moves would have little or no impact on snowfall exposure, but I recall even in the 1960s that it was getting rather difficult to measure snowfall at the Bloor St W site just because there were high rise buildings all around and limited open areas that could receive snowfall. I wasn't involved directly in measuring but I did visit a couple of times so I saw where they had all the instruments (in 1969 anyway). I was also able to access the original records from the 1840s that they had in their basement library (that would now be in Downsview at the EC headquarters). There were some written notes about snowfall in the years that don't have data in the printed records (which I have ascertained went verbatim into the computerized data). I remember seeing something like 12 inches of snow for October 31, 1844 which is in a period when even rainfall is missing (rainfall is generally available for the non-snowfall years but not some parts of 1844). This matched the record low maximum temperature recorded on that date, but I don't know how reliable that snowfall note was.

 

Anyway, I will post the part 3 of this list, perhaps in stages just to get it up there, then I will either cross-reference the ranks and adjust them, or edit the three posts so that we have the top 100 in one post, 101-200 and 201-??? in two other posts with the fail winters listed at the end. Maybe that would be the way to go.

[Roger Smith]

I have reorganized the tables so that we now have a unified ranking of all these heavy snow events, and a list of all winters that failed to produce a 2-day total over 7.4".

 

So this is the ranking of winters based on their heaviest snowfall of the season. The table is organized by decades and winters are placed with their Jan-Feb year numbers, a storm in December will influence the year following.

 

Ties are broken by 2nd heaviest snowfall if there is one in the list. Ties are maintained where no second storm is in the list, or for winters that fail to produce a 7.5" storm. Ties are marked with an asterisk. There are 170 ranked winters and 6 missing (all in the 1840s). The current ranking of 2016 (169) could improve, if it does, a few others may drop one place. Looking at the temperatures in the missing winters, some of them were probably low ranking, for example 1841-42.

 

Color code is as follows:

 

blue numbers -- a storm over 10" (page one)

top storm 7.5" to 9.9" (page two)

top storm 7.4" or less (page three)

 

 

RANKINGS OF WINTERS BY HEAVIEST STORM

 

 

Year ending __ 1 ___ 2 ___ 3 ___ 4 ___ 5 ___ 6 ___ 7 ___ 8 ___ 9 ___ 0 ____ average

 

1841-50 ___ msg _ msg _ msg _ msg _ msg ___ 3 __ 65*_ msg _ 38 ___ 7* ____ 38

 

1851-60 ___ 135 __ 32 __ 65*__ 69 __ 55 __ 17 __ 82 __ 100*_ 159*__ 64  ____ 78

 

1861-70 ____ 65*__ 54 ___ 6 __ 21 __ 63 _ 152*___ 5 ___  7*__ 40 ___  4  ____ 42

 

1871-80 ____ 26 _ 140*___ 1 __ 70 __ 59 __  11 __ 51 _ 100*_ 123*_ 132  ____ 71

 

1881-90 ____ 44 _ 165 __ 33 __ 13* __ 56 __ 23 __ 86 _ 144*__ 95*__ 98  ____ 76

 

1891-1900 __ 47 _ 136*__ 88* _ 109 __ 46 _ 119*_ 150*__ 27*__ 12 __  9  ____ 75

 

1901-10 ___ 107 __ 13*_ 123*__ 77*__ 58 _ 119*_ 149 __ 62 __ 84*__ 18*  ____ 81

 

1911-20 ____ 49 __ 93 _ 152* _ 128*__ 65*_ 116*__90*_ 112*_ 140*__ 52  ___ 100

 

1921-30 ___ 108 _ 100*__ 87 __ 35 _ 144*_ 115  _ 133*_ 147*_ 144*_ 138* ___ 115

 

1931-40 ____ 15 __ 27*_ 123*__ 81 _ 166 __ 27*_ 161*_ 152*_ 128*_ 130*  ___ 101

 

1941-50 ___ 110 _ 138*__ 90* _ 118 ___ 2 _ 105 __ 92 __ 75 __ 39 __ 20  ____ 79

 

1951-60 ____ 31 __ 89 _ 163 __ 76 __ 71*__ 99 _ 104 _ 142*_ 116*__ 24  ____ 92

 

1961-70 ___ 114 _ 123*_ 168*__ 85 __ 34 __  10 __ 94 __ 36 __ 22 _ 155* ____ 83

 

1971-80 ___ 123*_ 100*_ 119*__ 30 __ 78*__ 75 __ 45 __ 61 __ 88*__ 53  ____ 77

 

1981-90 ___ 159*_ 106 __ 71*__ 74 __ 41 _ 136*__ 50 __ 71*_ 153 __ 97  ____ 96

 

1991-2000__142*_ 131 __ 37 __ 60 _ 150*_ 155*_ 119*__ 80 __ 16 _ 158  ____ 105

 

2001-10 ____ 57 _ 161*__ 48 __ 43 _  111 _ 168*_ 147*__ 25 _ 112*_ 166  ___ 104

 

2011-16 ___ 133* _ 170 __ 18*__ 42 __ 95*_ 155*  _______________________ 102

 

________________________________________________________________________________

[Ottawa Blizzard]

Thanks for this Roger.

[Roger Smith]

Thanks, I added a few items to the tables so it would give a more comprehensive view of each winter.

 

The following summarizes the dates of the heaviest snowfalls of each of 160 winters.

 

 

DATES OF HEAVIEST WINTER SNOWFALLS 1846 to 2016 (excl 1847-48)

 

(shows the start date of 2-day and actual date of 1-day, sometimes the heaviest snow is on day 2 of that set)

 

Month ___ 12345 _ 67890 _ 11-15 __ 16-20 __ 21-25 __ 26-end __ TOTAL _ (10" +) _ (7.5" to 9.9") _ (under 7.4")

 

Nov _____ 00000 _ 00000 _ 00002 _ 00000 _ 00010 _ 22100x _____ 8 _______1 _____ 3 ___________ 4

Dec _____ 11012 _ 00312 _ 20112 _ 01230 _ 42001 _ 111422 ____ 41*______17 ____ 11 __________13*

Jan _____ 12000 _ 20212 _ 12011 _ 10312 _ 12113 _ 310032 ____ 39*______ 21 ____ 5 __________ 13*

Feb _____ 23003 _ 21112 _ 21142 _ 11104 _ 11123 _ 1231xx ____ 47^ _____ 17 ____ 19^ _________ 11

Mar _____ 30321 _ 10102 _ 11011 _ 20114 _ 00012 _ 200010 ____ 31^ _____ 12 ____ 14^ __________5

Apr _____ 01110 _ 00101 _ 00000 _ 00001 _ 00000 _ 00000x _____ 6_______ 0 _____ 3 ___________ 3

 

Totals _________________________________________________172*^____ 68 _____55^__________49*

 

* includes two tied (Dec 29, Jan 10) as heaviest

^ includes two tied (Feb 9, Mar 20) as heaviest

(there are 170 winters ranked, ties add two to total and one to each sub-total except the first which contains no ties (68).

 

 

SAME TABLE AS ABOVE but adding all other snowfalls greater than 7.5"

 

Month ___ 12345 _ 67890 _ 11-15 __ 16-20 __ 21-25 __ 26-end __ TOTAL _ (10" +) _ (7.5" to 9.9") _ (under 7.4")

 

Nov _____ 00000 _ 00001 _ 00102 _ 01000 _ 00020 _ 32301x _____16_______2 ____ 10 ___________ 4

Dec _____ 11023 _ 00313 _ 31122 _ 03340 _ 43012 _ 212432 ____ 57*______18 ____ 26 __________13*

Jan _____ 33000 _ 30233 _ 33024 _ 30422 _ 32314 _ 512044 ____ 69*______27 ____ 29 __________ 13*

Feb _____ 35026 _ 43112 _ 41243 _ 12214 _ 52123 _ 1241xx ____ 73^ _____ 23 ____ 39^ _________ 11

Mar _____ 40421 _ 11103 _ 12011 _ 20216 _ 10013 _ 301020 ____ 44^ _____ 17 ____ 22^ __________ 5

Apr _____ 02111 _ 00101 _ 00000 _ 00001 _ 00000 _ 00000x _____ 8_______ 0 _____ 5 ____________3

 

Totals ________________________________________________ 257 ______ 87 ____ 131 _________ 49