A mild start to winter is expected in Ontario with less snow than usual leading up to the holidays, according to the Weather Network’s new report.
On Wednesday, The Weather Network released its winter forecast for the months of December, January and February.
The weather agency says strong El Niño conditions have developed in the Pacific Ocean, which could result in a mild winter across the country. El Niño refers to warmer-than-normal ocean water temperatures in the tropical region of the Pacific Ocean to the west of South America, which has an impact on the global jet stream pattern, according to the network.
“The current El Niño event and ocean water temperatures across the Pacific Ocean are giving us a pattern that is unlike anything that we have ever seen before,” Chief Meteorologist at The Weather Network Chris Scott said in a statement.
“Therefore, we believe that the upcoming season will deliver some curveballs that will set this winter apart from typical El Niño winters. While mild temperatures should continue to dominate across western Canada, it appears to be a different story for the eastern half of Canada where winter is expected to make more than just a token appearance,” he added.
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In Ontario, although a mild start to the winter season is expected, a pattern change is also set to happen as the season progresses with periods of much colder weather expected, the Weather Network says.
“Below-normal snowfall is expected for most of the region as the storm track will often be well south of the region. However, if the storm track shifts far enough north at times, then southern parts of the region will still see near-normal snow totals,” the network said in a news release.
The agency predicts that a more wintry pattern will develop around the holidays. As for bitter cold temperatures, the network expects a more traditional winter pattern will develop for January.
“When the colder weather arrives, the Great Lakes will be wide open, so the traditional snowbelt areas should eventually see an abundance of lake-effect snow,” reads the report.
The primary storm track for the season is expected to bring near-normal snow totals to the southernmost parts of the province. But, a slight shift north or south would have a major impact on the final totals, the weather agency said.
For the winter forecast for other regions in Canada, visit here.
