The 1980s

The 1980s show a shift toward more variable precipitation and a noticeable build-up in snow mid-decade, while temperatures stayed mostly steady with a slight dip at the end.

Rainfall swung widely from year to year, ranging from relatively dry years like 1987 (764.3 mm) to very wet conditions in 1981 (1130.2 mm), the highest total in the decade. Heavy monthly rain events also stood out, including October 1981 with 156.2 mm in a single month and June 1985 reaching 234.7 mm. Snowfall rose sharply in the middle of the decade, peaking in 1987 at 415 cm, far above most other years, showing a clear mid-decade surge in winter accumulation. One clear example of this variability is 1981, where both total rain and intense monthly rainfall reached the decade’s highest levels.

Temperatures stayed within a fairly tight range, with average annual values mostly between about 6°C and 8°C, and a slight dip by the end of the decade. The warmest conditions showed up in 1984, when the hottest month reached an average of 26.8°C, while cold snaps still dropped below -20°C in several winters, including -25°C in January 1982.

Storm impacts also shifted late in the decade, with two tropical systems - Alberto in 1988 and Dean in 1989 - reaching Atlantic Canada, unlike earlier years when none made landfall nearby. In total, there were 162 named storms in the Atlantic, which breaks down to 93 tropical storms, 52 hurricanes, and 17 major hurricanes.

This decade stands out for its strong swings in precipitation and the first direct tropical storm impacts at the end.