Canada’s winter forecast just dropped & here’s what provinces can expect

The time has come to officially start talking about the season ahead. The Weather Network has released its winter forecast for Canada and as you may have guessed, frigid days are coming our way fast.

Many provinces experienced a sharp turn into winter weather this year, and according to TWN, the abrupt shift is here to stay.

“Canadians should be prepared for a strong start to winter through December,” said Chief Meteorologist Chris Scott in the winter forecast.

Scott adds that a “colder than normal start to winter” is on tap, thanks to “a rare triple-dip La Niña weather pattern in the Pacific Ocean” and a polar vortex at the same time.

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Overall, it’ll be a near-normal and sometimes colder-than-normal winter in many parts of Canada except for the Maritimes, which will be warmer than normal.

However, there’s some good news for those who want some relief from the cold.

“Winter will take a break at times with periods of mild weather during January and February, especially from southern Ontario to Newfoundland,” said Scott.

An “extended thaw” could take place in southern Ontario later this winter, but the season will also bring “a messy mix of snow, ice, and even rain at times,” and precipitation levels will likely be above-normal.

As for the Prairies, TWN said that the region faces “a heightened risk for episodes of severe cold,” and a frigid winter overall.

However, periods of mild weather will provide relief across Alberta. It’ll also be an especially snowy winter across southern Alberta, with “blizzard conditions at times.”

Despite the early snowfall in Vancouver this year, it seems that BC will have a “come and go winter” overall.

The season will bring both mild weather and “extended periods of colder than normal temperatures” to the province, “with a heightened risk for a couple periods of severe cold.”

Most of southern BC is in for above normal precipitation, which “should result in an excellent ski season.”