Throwback Thursday: Snowstorm shuts down Winnipeg in 1986

As part of Global Winnipeg’s 40th birthday celebrations, we are taking you on blasts from the past each month.

Winnipeg has had its fair share of big storms. Situated in the Prairies, Winnipeg’s extreme climate can sometimes lead to prolonged winters with some early starts to Winter or late finishes to the season as well.

November is a “swing” month. It is often when Winnipeg will transition into Winter. However, in 1986 it also brought on one of the biggest snow storms in the city’s history.

November 7 to November 9, Winnipeg received 35.8 cm of snow. Typically, Winnipeggers can expect 19.9 cm in the month of November, plus some rain as well.

Historically, the biggest snow storms of the year have happen in March and April. This early storm caused the city to shut down as a massive snow clearing effort began. It was the first snowfall of the season that year.