The t-bone front structure and major snowstorm of late November, 2014

What happened?

In late November of 2014, a moisture-laden system came in off the Pacific Ocean and gave copious snowfall to a large part of Alberta. In particular, 15 to 25 cm fell in Calgary, while 30 to 40 cm fell in the Edmonton area. Further, an incredible 84 cm fell in Kananaskis Village.

The satellite imagery is very interesting in this case because a structure, known as a t-bone front, is present; its appearance in the eastern Pacific, while not unheard-of, isn't all that common. Usually these are seen over the western Pacific and the Atlantic.

Satellite images

The water vapour satellite animation

Here are snowfall amounts as gathered by Environment Canada.

LOCATION                TOTAL SNOWFALL AMOUNT (CM)

BEAUMONT                33
COLD LAKE               14
CYNTHIA                 32
EDMONTON                30-40
FOX CREEK               45
GRANDE CACHE            40-45
GRANDE PRAIRIE          45
HOLDEN                  30
LAC LA BICHE            20
WAINWRIGHT              30
MULHURST                35
SHERWOOD PARK           32
ST. ALBERT              30
WESTLOCK                17
WHITECOURT              44

CALGARY SW              24-28
CALGARY W               15
COCHRANE                12
CONDOR                  17
HORBURG                 22
RED DEER                24
SUNDRE                  15

BANFF                   40-50
BOW SUMMIT              40
JASPER                  15-25
LAKE LOUISE             44
MARMOT BASIN            75
KANANASKIS VILLAGE      84

BROCKET                 30
PINCHER CREEK           30-40
LETHBRIDGE              15
CLARESHOLM              30
CARDSTON                30
BROOKS                  10

Email the webmaster