Whoever has been singing “Let it Snow” on repeat in Grande Prairie is being kindly asked to stop as the Swan City is in the midst of its snowiest December in the last decade.
According to Environment Canada, as of Dec. 16, 48.2 centimetres of snow fell at the Grande Prairie Airport since the month began, and if it keeps up, it could come close to becoming the snowiest winter month overall since 2016.
Only November 2024, with 66.1 centimetres, February 2022, with 51 centimetres, January and March 2018 with 49.2 cm, and November 2017 with 61.3 cm have had higher officially logged totals in the last 10 years.
While the influx of snow might be a pain in the back, and other parts of the anatomy not fit for publication, it shouldn’t come as a surprise. As earlier this year, the Weather Network had predicted a weak La Nina this winter, which is marked by cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures and leads to generally colder and wetter winters on this side of the country.
However, if seeing all the white stuff leaves you seeing red, there is some bad news, as the trend is likely to continue. According to a recent Environment Canada update, northwestern Alberta can expect above-average precipitation until at least February, with parts of the province seeing upwards of 60 per cent more than the average year with data spanning back to 1971.
If you are looking for a positive spin while waiting at the chiropractor, consider how this snow level could ease the wildfire season in 2026.
