Sweaters and snow shovels should be unpacked early

As skiers, we should all be happy with this prediction. The Old Farmer’s Almanac forecasts “This winter is shaping up to be a rough one.”

Winter temperatures will be colder than normal, on average, with the coldest periods in mid- to late December, much of January, and early to mid-February. Snowfall will be above normal, with precipitation slightly below normal in Alberta and above normal elsewhere. The heaviest snowfalls will occur in early to mid-January, mid- to late January, and mid- to late February.

A decline in solar activity combined with ocean-atmosphere patterns in the Pacific and Atlantic will result in above-normal temperatures in the eastern half of Canada, while the west will be below normal.

Snowfall will be above normal from southernmost British Columbia eastward through western Ontario and from Montreal eastward to the Atlantic.

“In Canada, winter’s severity will really depend on where you live,” says Janice Stillman, editor of The Old Farmer’s Almanac Canadian Edition. “I’d recommend parkas for those living in or visiting areas from British Columbia through western Ontario. People in the east won’t be experiencing a winter heat wave, but it’ll certainly be at least a few degrees warmer than it has been over the past few years.”

Read more Old Farmer’s Almanac