Canadians can brace themselves for a “fickle fall” season this year, as per forecasts from The Weather Network, which anticipates a chilly start followed by above-normal temperatures leading into winter.
The forecast suggests that Canadians across the country may experience periods of very cold weather during the fall, particularly in the early part of the season. However, the season is expected to conclude on a milder note, largely due to the influence of El Nino, a warmer-than-usual jet stream in the Pacific Ocean.
Chief meteorologist Chris Scott of The Weather Network explained that El Nino typically brings an initial bout of cold weather in the middle of the fall, which can be a surprise for many. However, as the season progresses, the weather pattern tends to shift, resulting in milder conditions.
This forecast isn’t the most favorable for ski enthusiasts in British Columbia, as the persistent El Nino jet stream from fall into winter doesn’t provide the ideal conditions for ample snowfall in the mountains.
Additionally, the fall forecast doesn’t bode well for the wildfire season on the West Coast, as drier-than-normal atmospheric conditions are expected early in the season, with significant rain anticipated only later in the fall.
The Prairie provinces can anticipate a few snowstorms in the middle of the fall, which may curtail the region’s harvest season. However, towards the latter part of November and December, the Prairies are expected to experience slightly above-normal temperatures.
Ontario and Quebec are likely to encounter a chilly push of cold air in October, but winter is expected to commence on a milder note. Precipitation in these provinces is forecasted to be below normal, and there may be windstorms during the fall that could lead to power outages.
In Atlantic Canada, early indicators suggest that precipitation levels will be typical for the fall season, but the region may be susceptible to unpredictable storms originating from the tropics. These storms could bring heavy rainfall to the Atlantic provinces.
Temperatures in the Atlantic provinces are expected to be typical, except for Nova Scotia, which might experience a hotter-than-normal fall.
In western Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon, above-normal temperatures are anticipated, with above-normal precipitation levels, especially in western and central Nunavut and some parts of the Northwest Territories.
Chief meteorologist Chris Scott attributes these weather patterns to El Nino, which has a global impact on weather systems. The overarching narrative for this fall is a cold push in the middle of the season followed by a moderating trend towards the end.