This year, it seems that we will have a Green Christmas in most parts of Canada. Meteorologists say that, so far, December has been warm in many places across the country, and the mild conditions are predicted to continue from the west coast to the east coast until the end of the holiday season.
“For most of the country, this will be a Green Christmas.”
Last year, a widespread White Christmas occurred in many places in Canada when a severe winter storm swept across the country, bringing heavy snowfall, strong winds, and freezing rain. However, the forecast for this Christmas suggests no snowfall or major storms in the coming week.
According to The Weather Network, on Christmas Day, December 25th, almost all provinces will experience above-seasonal temperatures – in some cases, 10 to 15 degrees Celsius higher than the seasonal average.
Here’s what to expect this Christmas in different regions of the country.
Eastern Canada
For the Atlantic provinces, including New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, the weather seems relatively dry for the rest of the week and until Christmas. However, Newfoundland and Labrador still have a chance for a last-minute White Christmas, with colder air moving in on Christmas Eve and at least 2 cm of snowfall on Christmas Day, according to the weather agency.
Meanwhile, residents in Ottawa, Montreal, and Halifax may not have a White Christmas but rather a Brown or Green Christmas due to dry and warm weather, with temperatures higher than usual for the season on Christmas Day.
Similarly, in Ontario, the weather is “very mild,” and temperatures on Christmas morning are expected to range from 4 to 7 degrees Celsius. Thunder Bay may see snow on Christmas morning, which is not unusual, but it’s still uncertain if there will be snow on Christmas Day, according to the weather agency.
Prairies
In Manitoba, Winnipeg might experience a fresh Green Christmas as existing snow on the ground is expected to melt in the coming week. In Saskatchewan, places like Regina and Saskatoon usually have a White Christmas, but it seems unlikely this year due to dry and sunny weather throughout the week before Christmas. Temperatures on December 21 and 22 are forecasted to reach 2 or 3 degrees Celsius, while the average high in Regina and Saskatoon is usually around -10 degrees Celsius at this time of the year. Calgary’s weather is expected to be even warmer, with temperatures reaching 8 or 9 degrees Celsius on some days this week along with sunny conditions.
British Columbia
In British Columbia, it’s rare for Vancouver and Victoria to have a White Christmas. According to the weather agency, it seems that won’t change this year, with daily rainfall forecasted until Christmas morning.
Territories
Every year, the Northern Territories usually welcome a White Christmas, and that tradition will continue this year, although the weather is “much warmer” compared to this time of the year. Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, currently has 25 cm of snow on the ground and an average temperature of -20 degrees Celsius. However, in the coming week, the average high temperature is expected to be 5 to 10 degrees Celsius higher than usual.
What about New Year’s?
The New Year is another story, according to the weather agency. Despite a Green Christmas for most Canadians and an “unusual December,” there are still signs that this weather pattern may change in the new year, and January could become “much colder.” This is good news for Ottawa’s Rideau Canal Skateway, which had to close for the first time in its history last winter due to insufficient snowfall. The warm December will not persist throughout the entire winter.
