Everyone loves snow days and beautiful weather the winter brings. But sometimes too much snow can bring some problems like difficult driving conditions and power outages. The winter forecast for Canada shows different temperatures and not as much snow, as it was last year. It is expected that the eastern part of the country throughout the winter will have a lot of rain in the form of rain and snow, predicts Accuweather.
This week will deliver the coldest temperatures and highest wind chill values of the winter. Bitterly or brutally cold air is descending over the eastern prairies of Manitoba.
The forecast this week includes most nights with temperatures falling below -30 C, wind chill values in the -40s and even -50s, and daytime highs near -30 C. Overnight temperatures are unlikely to break records for extreme cold but Wednesday afternoon could come close to the record for coldest maximum temperature on January 30th. Currently, the coldest maximum temperature record is -30.8.
For Winnipeggers, the cold isn’t going away any time soon. Forecasts are calling for temperatures in the -20 to -30 C range for at least a week, and long-range models from Environment and Climate Change Canada indicate temperatures are likely to stay below normal until nearly the end of the month.
Environment Canada meteorologist Natalie Hasell told 680 CJOB Monday that the recent snowfall – of which Winnipeg saw between 8-13 cm – was the result of a warm front stemming from a low-pressure system currently located in central Saskatchewan.
The representative of Manitoba Hydro said that extra crews are working to try to restore service to customers in south-central Manitoba. Due to thick frost, the power lines are coated in extensive ice, many lines are damaged or completely down due to the weight of ice.
Officials are warning people that all downed lines should be treated as live power lines. Manitoba Hydro also adds that anyone who comes across a downed power line is advised to stay away and call 911. Crews are actively trying to clear the ice from the lines and get power restored.
“Most of the Arctic cyclones will be concentrated in the northeastern part of Canada, but in the winter they can move to eastern Ontario and Quebec,” said Anderson.
Prairie residents can expect a milder winter than usual in Alberta and Saskatchewan, and in the second half of the season, Manitoba will face low temperatures.
Overall a country can expect a steady transition to winter and moderate temperatures in January. Fellow Winnipeggers, please get ready for the winter, it is not just about warm clothes for you and your family, but also make sure to change your tires for a winter ones and prepare all necessary equipment for snow cleaning, so you will have time to deal with the snow in front of your house and to get to work safely and on time!