Whistler, B.C.
Image Credit: Shutterstock
October 21, 2015 - 2:30 PM
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – AccuWeather is forecasting one of the warmest winters on record for much of Canada, thanks to El Nino.
Western Canadians can expect above to well-above temperatures as a prevailing westerly flow delivers milder Pacific air across the region, according to a news release.
“Compared to last winter, there will be more snow across the coastal mountains of western British Columbia,” it says.
In the Rockies of eastern B.C. and western Alberta however, snowfall will underachieve with the majority falling during the first half of the winter.
The prairies can expect drier and milder weather as well as the Polar jet stream gets displaced in the north, greatly limiting the amount and duration of Arctic air that are normally seen in those areas. Edmonton, Calgary and Regina should see as much as a 3 degree Celsius higher than normal average with snowfalls fewer and farther between.
Ontario and Quebec should not see the same frigid temperatures they did last year, but faces an increased risk of ice storms, especially from eastern Ontario to southern Quebec.
From New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island, the combination of a strong El Nino and warmer than usual sea surface temperatures will likely lead to slightly higher average temperatures compared to previous years.
The winter could turn to snow again, however, from New Brunswick to PEI, during the second half of winter.
Much of Newfoundland will see a milder winter as well, with a reduced number of major storms.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infonews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2015