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Yellowknife summer was third-wettest on record, weather trackers say

Simon Whitehouse
1306Rain62
1306Rain62 Dylan Short/NNSL photo Heavy rain caused traffic headaches throughout Monday as the roads under construction took a beating under tough weather conditions. Franklin Avenue, which is currently closed between Forrest Drive and Resevoir Road saw more closures between Forrest Drive and the Taylor Road intersection shortly before Monday's 5 o'clock rush hour. The construction portions of the road saw a water build up and multiple potholes appear throughout the afternoon as construction crews attempted to keep the roads under control. June 11, 2018

The Yellowknife area saw its third wettest summer on record but kept pace with average temperatures as official summer record-keeping came to a close last week.

The federal Department of Environment and Climate Change Canada calculates meteorological summer figures from June 1-Aug. 31.

The Yellowknife area received 193.6 mm of rain,  according to the federal Department of Environment and Climate Change Canada. It was the third wettest summer on record.
NNSL file photo

Between those three months, Yellowknife and area saw 193.6 mm of rain, which was above the 178 mm average over 30 years.

It was the third wettest in 78 years of recorded data, according to the department.

Last year, there was 135 mm of rain during the summer.

In 2018, there was 248 mm of precipitation between June and August, which established a record.

RELATED COVERAGE: July on pace to see rainfall record in Yellowknife 

RELATED COVERAGE: Warm temps coming but deep cold will return: Environment Canada 

RELATED COVERAGE: Summer 2019 drier, cooler than previous year in Yellowknife 

Terri Lang, a meteorologist with the department, said on Wednesday that this summer's weather brought plenty of moisture.

In June there was 28.6 mm of rain compared the 28.9 mm over a 30-year average, making it the 31st wettest, but just about average.

July saw 97.6 mm of rain, which was more than double the 40.8 mm average over 30 years. That made that month the second-wettest July on record over close to 80 years of recorded figures.

"To me that is a significant number and that to me that is wet," Lang reflected.

August proved to be the 12th wettest for that time of the year with 67.4 mm of rain –  well above the 39.3 mm average over the past three decades.

Average temperatures despite dampness 

Over those three summer months, the 30-year average temperature is 14.8 C, Lang said.

Typically, summers with heavy rainfall see cooler temperatures because skies are filled with clouds, she explained. In 2020, however, the summer warmth was about on par with what is expected every year in Yellowknife.

The result this summer was a 14.7 C average – "pretty much bang on, though slightly colder than average," Lang said.

June started out cooler than average at 12.8 C, which is below the 13.3 C average over 30 years.

July was also below that month's 17 C average, at 16.3 C.

In August, however, Yellowknife and area enjoyed an average of 15.1 C which eclipsed the 30-year average of 14.2 C.

"So it was warmer, but it was not a 'holy crap, that was hot type of month, but was actually the 26th warmest on record, evening out the summer," Lang said.

The meteorologist pointed out rainfall and cool temperatures washed out any threat of wildfires this year.

"Are you hearing much about wildfires this year? Well, not at all because it's been so darn wet and cool," Lang said. "Other years it doesn't rain, (there's) record dryness and the forests are burning down. That's just the way it goes."

The department doesn't typically forecast beyond a three-month window, but projections currently show that September to November will see temperatures slightly warmer than average, Lang said.

"The fall is forecast to be above-average temperature," she said. "That doesn't mean it won't get cold on some days or warm on other days, but it will be about on average."