Canada's 2013/14 Winter Outlook
Tuesday, November 26, 2013, 7:14 PM -
The Weather Network's meteorologists release the Winter Outlook for 2013/14. Find out what's in store in your area.
Most of Canada will experience a changeable, highly variable winter weather pattern meaning periods of storms offset by periods of quiet conditions. While temperatures for most of the country are expected to average close to normal over the winter season, both warm and cold extremes are likely at times.
Watch the Regional 2013/14 Winter Outlooks : B.C. | Alberta | GTA | Atlantic
The expected changeable winter weather pattern is partly due to a lack of El Niño or La Niña conditions in the tropical Pacific Ocean, which drive global weather patterns. This neutral condition, dubbed ‘La Nada’, means storm tracks are less established and persistent, which leads to highly variable weather in Canada.
“Most regions will see typical temperatures and precipitation, but won’t be locked in to one type of weather for the winter season. Canadians can expect to see a lot of variability in the weather this year,” said Chris Scott, Chief Meteorologist at The Weather Network. “Just as you get used to a certain type of weather, it will likely change.”
This outlook covers the period from December 2013 through February 2014, inclusive (i.e.: DJF).
Region | Temperature Outlook | Precipitation Outlook |
British Columbia | Below normal expected for Haida Gwaii; the North and Central Coasts, including inland sections; parts of the Bulkley valley and the Chilcotin; and northern Vancouver Island. Near normal elsewhere. | Below normal forecast for Haida Gwaii; the North and Central Coasts, including neighbouring inland sections. Near normal elsewhere. |
Alberta | Near normal. | Near normal. |
Saskatchewan | Near normal. | Near normal. |
Manitoba | Near normal almost everywhere but a small area of above normal temperatures in the Hudson Bay Lowlands near the Ontario border. | Near normal. |
Ontario | Near normal except for portions of the Hudson Bay Lowlands where above normal temperatures are more likely. | Near normal. |
Quebec | Above normal temperatures in the far north. Near normal across the southern and central tiers of the province. | Above normal precipitation in the far north. Near normal across the southern and central tiers of the province. |
The Maritimes and Newfoundland | Above normal across Nova Scotia and eastern P.E.I along with the southeastern half of Newfoundland. Near normal elsewhere. | Near normal almost everywhere except for above normal across the extreme northern part of the Torngat Mountains. |
Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut | Generally near normal except for islands in northern Hudson Bay and extreme southern Baffin Island. | Above normal in southeast coastal Baffin Island and northern Hudson Bay; and in a northwest-southeast stretch from the far northern Yukon and Mackenzie River delta through northern N.W.T to Yellowknife. Near normal elsewhere. |
A regional breakdown of the winter forecast for select locations has been provided below. Three-month averages are based on the 30-year period 1981 to 2010.
City | Temperature Forecast | Precipitation Forecast | Average temperatures | Average Precipitation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Vancouver | Near normal | Near normal | High 7.1
Low 1.3 Mean 4.2 | 434.9 mm |
Victoria | Near normal | Near normal | High 7.8
Low 1.3 Mean 4.6 | 375.0 mm |
Calgary | Near normal | Near normal | High -0.3
Low -12.5 Mean -6.4 | 29.0 mm |
Edmonton | Near normal | Near normal | High -5.2
Low -16.7 Mean -11.0 | 47.1 mm |
Regina | Near normal | Near normal | High -7.6
Low -18.2 Mean -12.9 | 40.4 mm |
Saskatoon | Near normal | Near normal | High -8.5
Low -18.9 Mean -13.7 | 36.5 mm |
Winnipeg | Near normal | Near normal | High -9.3
Low -19.2 Mean -14.2 | 55.2 mm |
Thunder Bay | Near normal | Near normal | High -6.2
Low -18.1 Mean -12.2 | 82.0 mm |
Sudbury | Near normal | Near normal | High -6.0
Low -15.5 Mean -10.8 | 180.7 mm |
Ottawa | Near normal | Near normal | High -3.8
Low -12.5 Mean -8.2 | 196.0 mm |
Toronto | Near normal | Near normal | High -0.2
Low -8.0 Mean -4.1 | 157.3 mm |
Windsor | Near normal | Near normal | High 0.9
Low -6.0 Mean -2.5 | 198.4 mm |
Montreal | Near normal | Near normal | High -3.3
Low -11.8 Mean -7.6 | 226.6 mm |
Fredericton | Near normal | Near normal | High -2.2
Low -13.1 Mean -7.7 | 263.2 mm |
Moncton | Near normal | Near normal | High -2.1
Low -12.0 Mean -7.1 | 308.6 mm |
Charlottetown | Near normal | Near normal | High -1.9
Low -10.3 Mean -6.1 | 302.2 mm |
Halifax | Above normal | Near normal | High -0.1
Low -8.8 Mean -4.5 | 383.4 mm |
St. John's | Above normal | Near normal | High 0.0
Low -7.2 Mean -3.6 | 443.5 mm |
Iqaluit | Near normal | Near normal | High -21.0
Low -29.4 Mean -25.2 | 58.3 mm |
Yellowknife | Near normal | Near normal | High -19.2
Low -27.6 Mean -23.4 | 44.5 mm |
Whitehorse | Near normal | Near normal | High -5.1
Low -17.8 Mean -13.4 | 45.9 mm |
Watch the Regional 2013/14 Winter Outlooks : B.C. | Alberta | GTA | Atlantic