The Weather Network has just released its outlook for the months of December, January and February, and Canadians can expect a roller coaster winter from coast to coast, thanks to La Niña.
A phenomenon characterized by colder than normal waters in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of South America, La Niña impacts weather patterns around the world. In Canada, weather patterns can be stormier than normal during a La Niña year. Extreme temperature swings are not uncommon and, Canadians can expect windier conditions at times as a result of an active jet stream.
“We are expecting a ‘melting pot’ of weather this winter. From wild and wide swings in temperatures to sloppy winter storms in Southern Canada bringing snow, freezing rain and rain all within the same system,” says Chris Scott, Forecast Operations Manager with The Weather Network. “While Western Canada has already experienced its first taste of winter, the heart of the winter season might be slightly delayed in Eastern Canada.”
The Western Canada Winter
Good news for winter sports enthusiasts on the west coast; above average precipitation has been forecasted for Southern British Columbia. Canadians living in many areas of western Canada will experience cooler than normal temperatures throughout the winter.
The Eastern Canada Winter
Above normal temperatures will dominate most of The Great Lakes region through to southern areas of the Maritimes. Near normal precipitation is in the outlook for Canadians living east of the Manitoba/Ontario border.
