Although the Sault was on the receiving end of greater-than-usual amounts of snow over Christmas, Environment and Climate Change Canada says it wasn't a record compared to what fell over the same days over 40 years ago.
Meteorologist Gerald Cheng told SooToday the 34 cm of snow that fell on Christmas Eve this year pales in comparison to the same day in 1980, when 83 cm fell in Sault Ste. Marie.
The 17 cm that fell on Christmas Day this year was also nowhere near the amount of snow that fell on the same date in 1980, said Cheng.
“So it was a bad year in 1980," said Cheng. "Sault Ste. Marie is notable for good snowfall because of the lake effect that you get from Lake Superior, that’s why we got hammered, but not as hammered as in past Christmases."
A recent column by the Sault Public Library recalled some of Sault Ste. Marie's worst winters, available to view by clicking here.
It seems records were broken this year across the river in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
The U.S. National Weather Service told SooLeader the 36.7 inches of snow that fell over Christmas was the most ever over the 23rd, 34th and 25th, that's over 93 centimetres.
Cheng said warmer weather and rain is in the forecast for Thursday and said it may be a good idea to remove heavy snow from roofs and other structures.
"Don’t remove it yourself if you’re not trained or certified because that can cause other hazards if you go up on the roof," he said.
Cheng also recommends clearing snow from grates and other drainage before the rain comes.