Canada-wide storm spreads snow and renewed Arctic cold
This week's national forecast features contrasting weather across Canada. While warm temperatures settle over Western Canada under high pressure, a low pressure system will bring snow to central and eastern provinces, followed by an Arctic air mass later in the week.
While some of Canada's groundhogs predicted an early spring this year, it doesn't mean folks can now bring out the spring clothing and outdoor gear, just yet.
DON’T MISS: Canada saw an impressive 70-degree temperature range in January
In fact, a low pressure system will soon take a one-way trip across Canada, dropping snow along the way this week.
Following that, the familiar Arctic chill that much of the country has seen in recent weeks will return.
Snow to take a trip across Canada, with cold to follow
A snowy low pressure system will cross the country this week, with snowfall expected to begin on the Prairies.
A ridge situated in B.C. will deflect a storm from the Pacific Ocean northwards to the North Coast and the Yukon on Tuesday.
The moisture and energy will then reorganize over the N.W.T., with snowfall expected to spread into the northeastern Prairies on Wednesday.
Next up will be the storm’s track descending towards the Great Lakes, pushing in snow to northern Ontario on Thursday.
Snow will move into Quebec, and southern and eastern Ontario on Friday.
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Eventually, the storm’s final stop will be in Atlantic Canada on Saturday and Sunday once again.
Following the storm, very cold Arctic air from the Far North will once again envelop Eastern Canada. Low temperatures may fall into the -20s once again after the snowfall has passed.
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As a result, the cold air could drive lake-effect snow over the unfrozen parts of Lake Huron.
Southern Ontario will see temperatures plummet to -20 degrees on Friday night, with wind chills reaching the -30s. Northern Ontario will be even colder, with -25 degrees or lower on Friday night, and wind chills of -30 to -40.
Southern B.C. and Alberta on the other hand will experience spring-like temperatures 10–16°C above seasonal averages.
Will this be the last of winter's extreme cold?
Beyond, a major change in the pattern is expected for Canada during the second week of February, and likely continuing into the second half of February.
The blocking pattern over Alaska is going to quickly breakdown (reverse). That will shut down the cross polar flow and allow mild Pacific air to dominate across most of the country next week, and into mid-February. However, B.C. should trend cooler to near seasonal, and the blocking over Greenland should work against consistent warmth into southern Ontario and Quebec.
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The second and third weeks of February will end up much milder than expected, but that pattern also supports a few messy and significant storms. Winter isn’t over yet, but a significant break from Arctic air is ahead. It’s unlikely temperatures will drop as low again this season as what is expected this weekend in Ontario and Quebec.
Stay tuned to The Weather Network for the latest forecast updates across Canada.