Canada’s come-and-go winter will regroup and return for January

Toronto: This winter in Canada has been a bit of a tease. It kicked off with a bang, but then it seemed to lose its way, hopping around the country without settling down.

As we get closer to the holidays, things are about to warm up. But if you love the chill, hang tight! January is likely to bring back the cold in a big way.

So far, winter has been showing up in fits and starts. It first made its presence known in Western Canada in late November, then slowly made its way east. This brought some epic snowfalls, promising a much whiter Christmas than last year.

But as we wrap up December, milder air is moving in. The last week of the month will feel more like November, with temperatures 10 to 15 degrees warmer than usual.

Don’t let that fool you, though. Winter isn’t done yet! By the first week of January, we expect a major shift. A new pattern will bring back the cold, and it should stick around longer than what we’ve seen so far.

By January 5, we’ll see a significant trough over Eastern Canada and the U.S., leading to colder-than-normal temperatures in the central Prairies and the Maritimes. Meanwhile, B.C. and the Yukon might experience warmer weather.

This new pattern could last until January 20 or even longer. Late January might see the cold air shift westward, bringing chillier conditions to Western Canada.

Even though Eastern Canada might enjoy some warmer days, winter isn’t over. Cold snaps will still happen, but expect more mild days than frigid ones.

Just remember, even when it’s warmer, messy winter storms can still pop up. So, keep your winter gear handy!