FIVE THINGS ABOUT THE WINTER

1 FORECAST IS FRIGHTENING

Chris Scott, The Weather Network’s chief meteorologist, says the message from his forecast team is “buckle up, because it looks like a stormy winter.”

2 REMEMBER A DECADE AGO?

Scott says this year’s La Nina weather system bears a striking resemblance to that of 20072008, when Toronto had its snowiest winter on record. “History tells us that when we have cooler waters off the coast of South America, that’s La Nina, and those winters tend to be classic Canadian winters.” B.C., the Prairies, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada are all in store for above normal levels of precipitation.

3 IT WON’T ALL BE WHITE

In Western Canada, the precipitation will likely be snow as the region shivers in below normal temperatures. In Atlantic Canada, where temperatures are expected to be above normal, forecasters expect plenty of snow and ice but periods of milder weather and rain will keep snowbanks from getting too high. Scott says storms with lots of snow are forecast for December in the eastern half of Canada, while in the western half, winter conditions are expected to start in January.

4 IT WON’T BE TOO COLD

La Nina winters often mean changeable weather, and Scott says that while Canadians can expect to be pounded by numerous snowstorms, there will also be periods of milder weather. “You might get two out of three months where you think, ‘ Wow, that was a wild winter,’ and then one month where the winter goes away,” he explains. “But this will be a winter that’s more on than off.” Scott says southern Ontario and Quebec might see mild conditions during January. The weather pattern also calls for a winter that lingers, meaning the country could experience snowstorms as late as March.

5 MIGHT AS WELL HEAD NORTH

The only region not following the nationwide trend is Nunavut, which has seen warming temperatures in recent years due to global warming. Scott says Nunavut can expect warmer- thanusual temperatures again this winter, along with average levels of snow.