The Farmers’ Almanac has released its extended winter forecast for Canada, predicting a season marked by cold temperatures and a mix of snow and rain across much of the country. The winter weather, influenced by the La Niña phenomenon, is expected to bring below-normal temperatures to about two-thirds of Canada, particularly from the Rockies to Ontario.
La Niña, a naturally occurring weather pattern that typically intensifies during winter, is forecast to cause colder-than-normal temperatures in areas such as the Prairies and the Great Lakes region. The coldest period is expected to hit in late January through early February, with the Prairies experiencing some of the most frigid temperatures.
While British Columbia will see unseasonably chilly weather, Quebec and the Maritimes are expected to experience higher-than-normal temperatures. The eastern third of Canada, including regions around the Great Lakes, is predicted to receive above-normal precipitation, with a mix of snow and rain. Newfoundland and Labrador will likely have a wet winter, with most precipitation being “wet, mushy, and slushy.”
A significant storm is anticipated to hit eastern Canada in late January, bringing snow, rain, sleet, and strong winds. Meanwhile, Quebec is forecast to experience a major snowstorm in mid-February.
The Farmers’ Almanac, known for its long-range weather forecasts based on a time-tested formula, emphasizes that while weather forecasting is an inexact science, many followers find their predictions to be highly accurate. The publication’s forecasts are made two years in advance and remain unchanged once published.