You might be wondering how many more surprises 2020 can bring. We all know how unpredictable our winters can be, and how much it can vary from coast to coast. Every year we turn to the trusted Almanac to give us an indication of what the winter weather will bring.
This year, in true 2020 fashion, the Almanc has reported that it is “The Winter Of The Great Divide”. This means that there is a division in the type of winter weather we will face across the country. “The forecast for the upcoming winter looks a lot different from last year, quite divided with some very intense cold snaps and snowfall,” according to editor Peter Geiger, Philom
THE CANADIAN REPORT
Wild & Mild the East
Expect to see “unseasonably mild conditions” for the majority of the winter in Newfoundland, Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. It may not be as cold, but there will be plenty of rain, sleet, and snow.
Central Canada’s Snow & Chill
Quebec and Central Ontario will endure “intervals of unseasonably mild temperatures with periodic shots of bitter cold”. It will average out across the winter for a seasonably normal winter. Although, be prepared for “snowier-than-normal” conditions in Quebec and Ontario, especially in the western region of Ontario.
The second week of January has been “red-flagged” for Ontario and Quebec and possibly the Maritimes as the Almanac is predicting a big storm. Mid-February will also face some storms.
The Cold, Cold West
As we look further across to western Canada from western Ontario, to Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia, the temperature will drop much colder than the normal averages.
There will also be a lot more snow over interior British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.
Watch for active storms to make their way into British Columbia, due to incoming storms from the Pacific.
THE AMERICAN REPORT
Our neighbours below us will face similarly divided winter weather across the northern states, with some states enduring more snow, and some with milder temperatures. Here is a breakdown by area of the northern part of the country.
Let It Snow In The Upper Midwest
The Almanac is reporting that that northern states will see a higher than normal snowfall, especially in Wisconsin, Upper Michigan and the High Plains. In the Dakotas, the snowfall will be lighter than normal. While temperatures will be milder than we’ve seen in past years, expect to find a few cold stretches in late January and again in late February.
The Pacific Northwest Is Cool & Calm
The Pacific Northwest will have a much calmer winter that in past years. The forecast is predicting average cool temperatures and less precipitation. Less snow than normal will fall from Seattle to Eureka, with average cool temperatures as seen in prior years.
Flashes Of Frost In The Lower Lakes
The areas around Syracuse, The Great Lakes, Chicago, Milwaukee, most of Michigan and south to Indianapolis, will have less snow than normal and milder temperatures. There will be shorter periods of cold flashes in December in January.
Even though the Almanac makes their reports based on decades of scientific data, Mother Nature knows best and anything can happen. For all of our dock owners out there, be smart and protect your dock investment by removing your dock from the water over the winter. Learn more about dock removal in the winter here.