First snow Fall ?

I know, although it still looks like fall, winter is coming and I need to call the garage to get winter tires for the Mini.  That made me think; when do we usually see the first snowfall in the Montreal area? Is it in October or November?  I don't know, so I did what I usually do when I don't know, I googled it.  This time Google let me down.  I could not find a precise answer.  But I found some interesting information that can give you an idea.

According to Environnement Canada, which shows data for the last 30 years, there is an average snowfall of 22 cm in November in the Montreal area.  Usually there are 8 days where snow falls, and most  of them with less than 5 cm.  The average temperature in November is 1,6°C and I am pretty sure that this year average will be a lot higher.  The record daily high temperature for November is 21,7°C and was set in 1948.  The record low was set in 1949 and is -19,4°C.  There is no mention as when we usually see our first snow though.  The closest I could get to a date was between December 1 and 15.  But that's not quite the dates for the first snow, but the ones for the first day of 14 consecutives days where the snow coverage on the ground was equal or greater than 2cm. You have to love statistics and thank Natural Resources Canada for them. However, I did get a date for Quebec City, on average their first snowfall is around October 11 (according to Climat-Québec). 

I personally think that the end of October, beginning of November is about right for Montreal. What do think?  

What is your bet, will it be soon or will we have a snowless Christmas ?

While you wait let me show you a couple of nice pictures I took yesterday as I was walking in my favorite trail along the Rivière des Mille Îles.

Red fruit, Boisbriand, November 21, 2011

Little white cotton balls, Boisbriand, November 21, 2011

Fuzzy Fruit of a Sumac Vinaigrier

Little white buttons, Boisbriand, November 21, 2011

Maple seeds that never fell, Boisbriand November 12, 2011