The year was 1988. Out in the Atlantic, things were lively — twenty named storms formed that season. Only one of them, Tropical Storm Alberto, reached Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. Here in Kentville, though, the weather took a steadier shape, marked more by gradual shifts than dramatic moments.

Rainfall totalled 1008.0 mm over the year. October was the wettest month at 180.8 mm, with November and July close behind. The single rainiest day fell on July 24, when 73.2 mm came down at once.

Snowfall reached 234.8 cm in total. February brought the most with 78.9 cm, and the biggest storm arrived on February 16, dropping 27.0 cm.

Warmth showed up early that year. The hottest day landed on June 6 at 33.0ºC, followed by another spike of 32.0ºC in July. July averaged 25.0ºC, with August right behind it at 24.9ºC. Winter balanced that out. The coldest day was February 7 at –23.5ºC, and both January and February held steady in the deep cold.

By year’s end, the average temperature came to 7.0ºC — a quiet midpoint that I’ve represented with my jade yarn in this blanket.