A ‘mixed bag’ of winter weather in store
Prairies to see ‘battle zone’ of warm, frosty
Canadians can expect a “mixed bag” of winter weather in the coming months, according to The Weather Network. The network is predicting Western Canada will have warmer than normal temperatures this winter, while the eastern half of the country will experience a long-lasting and colder than normal season.
“When you look at the country in two halves, we think winter will end sooner in Western Canada … whereas farther east, we think while it might not be harsh at all times, it does have some longevity and we’re going to be begging for spring by the time we get to early March,” said The Weather Network’s chief meteorologist Chris Scott.
Scott said when the network makes seasonal forecasts it looks at the oceans, specifically the Pacific Ocean, which he called the “engine” that drives global weather patterns.
“This year we have El Nino ... That means warmer than normal water off the coast of South America,” said Scott, adding that usually portends a milder winter.
ONTARIO/QUEBEC
The network is predicting an overall long and cold winter across Canada’s two most populous provinces, with the second half of the season will be especially bitter.
Scott said below-normal temperatures are expected for both Quebec and Ontario, but that doesn’t mean every week will see frigid temperatures.
“Through December and even parts of January, this is going to be a back-and-forth kind of winter,” he said.
The network is also forecasting fewer winter storms, and overall near-normal amounts of snow.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Scott said the network is forecasting a mild winter for the West Coast, and significantly less snowfall than normal.
“This does not look like one of those epic winters that we can sometimes see,” said Scott. “It does not look like a big snowy winter.”
Overall, the network is also forecasting an early arrival of spring.
ATLANTIC CANADA
Scott said the region will overall get a long and stormy “epic” winter, with “significant snowfall” that will persist into spring.
THE PRAIRIES
The network said the region will be a “battle zone” between the mild Pacific air to the west and Arctic air to the east. Temperatures are expected to be warmer than normal in Alberta and western Saskatchewan, while temperatures are expected to be closer to normal for eastern Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Scott said overall, the region is expected to see near-normal or belownormal snowfall.