Canada's winter weather could arrive early this year and there's hope for a white Christmas
Winter in Canada is just around the corner, and a new winter sneak-peek forecast suggests Canada might finally see a return to colder, snowier weather. That's right: After last year's historically mild winter, it looks like winter is ready to make a comeback.
With the possibility of early snow in some parts of the country, the latest winter 2024-25 preview from The Weather Network offers a glimpse of what Canadians can expect as the holidays approach.
According to the forecast, weak La Niña conditions are developing, which means we could be in for some surprises. While it's too soon to say for sure who will see the most snow, there's a good chance that winter will kick off earlier than last year. Here's what you can expect from Canada's weather for the upcoming season.
Could snow hit early this year?
Last winter was the warmest on record across Canada, according to The Weather Network, but this year's forecast shows we might be in for a more typical winter.
Weak La Niña conditions could lead to a colder start in many areas, with snow potentially arriving as early as November. In fact, December is shaping up to be much more wintry than last year, which could be great news for anyone hoping for a white Christmas.
While it's still too early to predict exactly when and where snowstorms will hit, the holiday season looks promising for snow lovers, with TWN predicting that "winter really will show up for December this year." Some regions could even see significant snowfalls leading up to Christmas — perfect for skiers and snowboarders eager to hit the slopes.
How the rest of winter might play out
As for the rest of winter, the forecast is a bit more unpredictable, TWN reports. January and February could see milder temperatures across central and eastern Canada, similar to last year's pattern. However, western Canada may stay locked into colder-than-usual conditions, with more snow expected to accumulate in the mountains and prairies.
The big question is whether La Niña will shift mid-season, TWN says. If it does, we could be in for alternating periods of milder and colder weather throughout the winter. This hybrid scenario would keep things interesting, with unpredictable shifts in temperature and snowfall.
Will we see a white Christmas?
While last year's holiday season was mostly snow-free for many parts of the country, this year could be a different story. There's a decent chance that snow will stick around through December, especially in colder regions.
While TWN says it's too early to predict who will see a white Christmas, it did say that "the weeks leading up to Christmas and New Years should be much more wintry than last year and more wintry than many other Decembers in recent memory."
So, if you're hoping for a wintry holiday season, get ready! It's looking like Canada might finally experience a real winter again. Keep your shovels and snow boots handy — you might just need them this year.
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A jet-stream map for Canada.