Canada’s run of unseasonably mild fall weather is ending, with forecasters warning that a much more traditional winter lies ahead.
Released Wednesday, the Weather Network’s winter outlook suggests a stronger La Nina event and a disrupted polar vortex could team up to bring colder temperatures and near to above-normal amounts of snow to most of the country (see maps below).
“An exceptionally early disruption of the polar vortex has set the stage for a steady supply of arctic air into southern Canada during December and into January,” said Doug Gillham, senior meteorologist at The Weather Network. “In addition, La Niña has returned. While last winter featured a weak La Niña pattern, a slightly stronger version of La Niña has emerged for the encore performance.
“This combination should deliver a truly Canadian winter for most of the country.”.
For the Prairies, the Weather Network is forecasting a very cold winter, with prolonged stretches of frigid weather and an elevated risk of severe cold outbreaks. Snowfall should be near normal across most of the region, but southwestern Saskatchewan, southern Alberta, the Rockies and the foothills are expected to see above-normal accumulations. Blizzard conditions are possible at times.
On Ontario and Quebec, a colder, snowier lead-up to the Christmas holidays than in recent years is expected. Temperatures are expected to remain below normal well into January before the pattern potentially becomes more variable later in the season. While snowfall totals should be near or above normal, southern areas may experience messy storms, including periods of ice and rain, particularly in the second half of winter, the outlook said.
