Get ready for a classic Saskatchewan winter filled with stretches of teeth-chattering cold.
The Weather Network is issuing its forecast for the next three months (December, January, and February) and believes it has an idea of what our province is going to experience.
“The real story this year I think is gonna be a return to classic winter weather across the prairies this year, and that’s gonna be a real sharp contrast to last year,” Meteorologist Michael Carter explained on Gormley Tuesday.
Last winter was dominated by pacific air which created mild temperatures across western and central Canada. It is not going to be like that this winter, leaving the door open for the arctic air to make its presence felt.
Carter expects below normal temperatures across the prairies including for all of Saskatchewan, southern Manitoba, and up into northwest Ontario.
“We’re going to have a lot more arctic air to deal with this year than we did last year,” said Carter, adding this will create stretches of bitter cold that could last weeks.
It is not all bad news. Carter said there will be breaks where normal or even above normal temperatures return, however it is not expected to last long.
The core of the arctic air this winter is expected to be centred in central Canada – the Great Lakes and the eastern prairies. The western prairies and B.C. have a better chance of getting some pacific air, and as a result, normal or mild weather.
“So, for folks that are out in the western part of the prairies maybe a more normal season as opposed to below normal,” said Carter.