Brown (Green) Christmases in Winnipeg
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1877
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1899
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A lesser-known Brown Christmas occurred in Winnipeg in 1899. There was still a tiny bit of snow around (likely a trace of snow overall), and wasn't considered a true Brown Christmas based on the definition of the time. Based on today's definition, however, of having less than 2 cm on the ground, 1899 likely fit the definition. It appears to have been a widespread Brown Christmas, covering much of southern Manitoba, and even northwestern Ontario. Much of the continent was reported to have been much warmer than normal throughout December. The Brown Christmas had followed what was the warmest November on record at the time. In Winnipeg, some flowers were reported to have bloomed in late November, and people were still rowing on the open-river on December 1st. Flowers apparently bloomed in southern Ontario in December.
In Winnipeg, it wasn't a particularly warm December by today's standards - averaging only slightly above normal, with daily highs averaging -7.4°C. It was a combination of very dry weather and a warm spell in the week before Christmas that produced the Brown Christmas. Only 3 cm of snow had fallen before Christmas, and most of it had melted when temperatures reached between 2°C and 5°C from the 20th to 23rd. The evidence of little snow on the ground was found mostly in newspapers such as the Morning Telegram. High wind apparently brought blowing dust, instead of the usual blowing snow, on the 26th. The observer at St John's College did not provide much information, other than a comment about snow ''thawing fast'' on the 22nd, during the warm spell leading up to Christmas.
In Winnipeg, it wasn't a particularly warm December by today's standards - averaging only slightly above normal, with daily highs averaging -7.4°C. It was a combination of very dry weather and a warm spell in the week before Christmas that produced the Brown Christmas. Only 3 cm of snow had fallen before Christmas, and most of it had melted when temperatures reached between 2°C and 5°C from the 20th to 23rd. The evidence of little snow on the ground was found mostly in newspapers such as the Morning Telegram. High wind apparently brought blowing dust, instead of the usual blowing snow, on the 26th. The observer at St John's College did not provide much information, other than a comment about snow ''thawing fast'' on the 22nd, during the warm spell leading up to Christmas.
A Brown Christmas likely occurred even as far north as Dauphin where''scarcely an appearance of snow'' was reported. People were still using their bicycles daily to get around.
The lack of snow continued through to early January. In Winnipeg, no substantial snow fell until January 10th, one of the latest starts to the winter snow cover on record. The lack of snow had impacts on a region that is accustomed to snow. Sleighs could not be used, making it more difficult to transport firewood for heating.
1913
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1939
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1997
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