Precipitation Patterns in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Precipitation patterns at Fort McMurray and Fort Chipewyan are strongly seasonal; they each receive most of their precipitation during spring, summer, and fall, and little during winter. Total precipitation (i.e., the water equivalent of all types of precipitation) is slightly higher at Fort Chipewyan than at Fort McMurray from October to March.

Mean total precipitation at Fort McMurray and Fort Chipewyan, 1968 to 2006.

Source: Environment Canada (http://climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climate_normals).

 

Mean rainfall is higher at Fort McMurray in all months, while snowfall is higher at Fort Chipewyan from October to December:

 

Mean rainfall at Fort McMurray and Fort Chipewyan, 1968 to 2006.

Source: Environment Canada (http://climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climate_normals).

 

Mean snowfall at Fort McMurray and Fort Chipewyan, 1968 to 2006.

Sourc: Environment Canada (http://climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climate_normals).

To learn about the climatic and topographical factors that determine precipitation patterns visit the precipitation tutorial.