Most Canadians have already experienced an early and abrupt blast of wintry weather. Is this a false start to winter or a preview of what is to come? According to the Weather Network’s Winter Forecast, it depends on which part of Canada you call home.
“A developing El Niño typically signals a milder winter across most of the country, and for Western Canada that is exactly what we expect for the upcoming season,” said Chris Scott, Chief Meteorologist at The Weather Network. “For the Western Prairies, this means the abnormally cold fall has not been a sign of things to come. However, from Ontario to Atlantic Canada we are seeing a snowy sneak preview of what will become the dominant pattern for winter.”
The Greater Toronto Area may fall short of normal snowfall. The region will be teased with early spring weather in March, but overall we expect a delay in the arrival of consistent spring warmth.
Here’s a more detailed look at the conditions expected across the country this winter:
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The Weather Network: Winter 2018-2019 Forecast |
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Region |
Temperature Outlook |
Precipitation Outlook |
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British Columbia |
Above normal |
Below normal south; near normal central and Vancouver Island; above normal north
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Alberta |
Above normal |
Below normal south; near normal north |
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Saskatchewan |
Above normal west; near normal east |
Below normal southwest; near normal elsewhere |
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Manitoba |
Near normal |
Near normal; below normal southeast corner
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Ontario |
Below normal south and east; near normal northwest |
Near normal; below normal for parts of northwest Ontario |
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Québec |
Below normal; near normal close to Hudson Bay |
Near normal |
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The Maritimes and Newfoundland & Labrador |
Near normal southern Maritimes, southern and central Newfoundland; Below normal northern Maritimes, northern Newfoundland and Labrador |
Above normal most of Maritimes and southern Newfoundland; Near normal northern New Brunswick, northern Newfoundland and Labrador. |
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Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut |
Above normal Yukon, Northwest Territories and western Nunavut; Near normal eastern Nunavut except below normal southern Baffin Island, including Iqaluit |
Above normal Yukon & western Northwest Territories; near normal elsewhere |
Complete Winter Forecast details, including regional breakdowns, maps and charts are available at www.theweathernetwork.com/winter.