Late October rain gives Winnipeg wettest April-October period on record..

October was a mild and dry month until an intense fall storm brought heavy rain, snow and colder temperatures to finish off the month. The month was very quiet through the first 3 1/2 weeks with only 1.3 mm of rain on 2 days during that stretch. The dry weather was very much needed after an exceptionally wet August and September that left soil conditions saturated. That dry weather came to an end however on the 25th-27th when an intense storm system passing through Minnesota brought heavy rains of 50-90 mm through the Red River valley and snow (5-30 cm) over western MB. At 955 mb, the storm system was the deepest low ever recorded over the central continent, and produced the lowest pressure on record at Winnipeg (967 mb) The late month deluge led to yet another month with above normal precipitation in Winnipeg, helping to produce the wettest April-October period on record since records began in 1872 (630 mm, old record 625 mm 1977) The season's first snowfall in the city came on the evening of the 29th when 1 cm of snow was recorded, with heavier amounts of 3-5 cm over the northern part of the city.

Temperatures in October were very mild with daily highs above 10C through the 26th, including an 8 day stretch of 20C plus weather from the 4th to 11th, the longest 20C stretch in an October since 1963 (11 days) and tied for the 2nd longest streak on record. The month was on pace for a top 10 finish for mildest Octobers through the 26th, however cooler weather over the last 5 days of the month knocked it out of top 10 honours. Nevertheless, the month finished with an average of 8C at Winnipeg airport, almost 3C above normal.

All in all.. a much needed dry and mild month with a wet and cool finish.