Weather Network forecast calls for colder than average winter across the prairies

Dec 1, 2020 | 2:10 PM

The prairies are in for a cold winter, says The Weather Network.

The weather service’s winter forecast was released on Monday. For the prairies, mild weather is expected for the first half of December.

After that the news isn’t so good.

“We expect that this region will lock into a much colder pattern for January and February with a heightened risk for extended periods of severe cold. A snowy winter is also expected across the southern half of Alberta and parts of southern Saskatchewan. Near normal snowfall is expected elsewhere.”

“This winter will feature a wide variety of extreme weather across Canada,” said Chris Scott, chief meteorologist at The Weather Network. “The focus of the severe cold will be across western Canada, especially during January and February. Meanwhile, extended periods of mild weather are expected from the Great Lakes to the Maritimes with the potential for record warmth.

“However, arctic air will also push into these regions from time to time, and an active storm track coast to coast will deliver an abundance of snow and ice to most of Canada.”

Regional breakdowns, maps and charts are available on The Weather Network website.

by Chris Brown