OMG Snow?

[hockeyville88]

Don’t expect to feel superior to your family out east this year: winter in B.C. is going to be a bear.

This winter is expected to be one of the coldest in years and extra snowy in the Lower Mainland, according to US-based weather service AccuWeather.

Meteorologist Brett Anderson of AccuWeather predicts “this winter could be one of the top three coldest winters in the past 20 years for Vancouver and Victoria.”

Anderson expected temperatures about -1 to -2 degrees below normal in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, and from -2 to -4 degrees colder in the rest of B.C.

But there may be less snow in most parts of B.C. with a forecast of 40 per cent below normal along most of B.C.’s coast.

In southwestern B.C., colder temperatures plus rainy weather could bring normal or even above average snowfall, Anderson said.

SNOW PLANS

Snow road crews and emergency shelters are ramping up.

Township of Langley roads and drainage manager Terry Veer said he’s been preparing his crew of 50 staff to clear more than 400 kilometres of priority roadways.

“I wouldn’t say we plan for the worst, we plan for as much as we are capable of,” he said. “If it’s really bad, we’re going to struggle.”

TransLink’s Drew Snider said the transit service was alert to possible freezing on overhead trolley wires, and had already deployed de-icing spray trucks a half-dozen times.

Snider said the service also planned to run de-icing trains overnight on SkyTrain as needed.

“Some things you can’t prevent and the only thing you can do is mitigate what snow can do to the systems,” Snider said.

At the Gateway of Hope shelter in Langley city, Major James Hagglund said their emergency shelter system, which goes into effect when the weather dips below -2, has already opened at least three times so far this season.

The average is about 35 nights over the course of the winter, but this unusually cold winter could mean even more openings.

“The message we are getting out to the community is we don’t want anyone out in the cold during inclement weather,” he said.

SKIIERS DELIGHT

On the plus side, AccuWeather’s forecast of colder, drier weather in the central interior means that what snow does fall should last longer and be more powdery.

“Any snow is good snow,” said Jordan Petrovics of Kicking Horse Resort in Golden. “People are stoked for this winter season.”

Tourism Sun Peaks president Christopher Nicolson said he’s learned not to count on forecasts.

“People in the industry know that if there is one thing you can predict it’s that you can’t predict the weather,” Nicolson said.

SO LONG, SLUSH

Environment Canada’s John McIntyre also said the La Nina weather pattern will result in cooler, drier conditions.

“We’re working on a very dry December and it’s usually the second wettest month behind November,” he said.

November in Vancouver averages 181 millimetres of precipitation but this year there was only 125 mm. December normally averages 176 mm. The driest the December ever saw 53.6 mm in 1985. Normal December temperatures are a high of 6.8 degrees Celsius and a low of 0.8. The coldest-ever December day was Dec. 29, 1968 at -17.8 degrees.

Read more: http://www.theprovince.com/news/colder+drier+winter+with+plenty+snow+southwest/5825992/story.html#ixzz1ftkubhfe

I believe it too. It's been oddly cold so far this fall.

[Scottish⑦Canuck]

Accuweather never seem to get it right whenever I check.

We have a huge storm coming in tomorrow apparently. 90mph winds, ferries and trains are being cancelled, bridges closed. We've been told to expect structural damage in some areas. And then there's more snow coming in after it on Friday.

Then again, they never seem to get anything right with the weather these days, so I may not even notice it. Who knows.

[JoeyBats]

What do you guys use the most for weather? Like the weather network, accuweather, you phone app....etc

[lateralus]

Read more: http://www.theprovin...l#ixzz1ftkubhfe

I believe it too. It's been oddly cold so far this fall.

Really? If anything I'd say it's been very mild if not warmer then usual.

[ckamo]

Accuweather never seem to get it right whenever I check.

We have a huge storm coming in tomorrow apparently. 90mph winds, ferries and trains are being cancelled, bridges closed. We've been told to expect structural damage in some areas. And then there's more snow coming in after it on Friday.

Then again, they never seem to get anything right with the weather these days, so I may not even notice it. Who knows.

Seems like the weather in Glasgow is impossible to predict (since it's always changing). I looked at a comparison chart of the the 3 weather networks the other day. They all had 3 completely different forecasts for each day of the week. On some of the days one network had 0% ppt (HA) and another network had 90%. And the temperatures ranged from Highs of 2 or 3 to 12 in the same day...so...yeah...

The guy on BBC did seem pretty adamant about there being a major windstorm tomorrow though.

As for Vancouver, as long as my flights aren't cancelled when I go back for the holidays I wouldn't mind a White Christmas.

Edited December 8, 2011 by ckamo

[Scottish⑦Canuck]

Seems like the weather in Glasgow is impossible to predict (since it's always changing). I looked at a comparison chart of the the 3 weather networks the other day. They all had 3 completely different forecasts for each day of the week. On some of the days one network had 0% ppt (HA) and another network had 90%. And the temperatures ranged from Highs of 2 or 3 to 12 in the same day...so...yeah...

The guy on BBC did seem pretty adamant about there being a major windstorm tomorrow though.

As for Vancouver, as long as my flights aren't cancelled when I go back for the holidays I wouldn't mind a White Christmas.

Yeah. You can never trust the forecast here. Especially the long range ones.

As for this storm, I don't know what to expect since the media always blow everything completely out of proportion. It sounds serious, but they always over-exaggerate things.

SCOTLAND will be battered by the worst storms in a decade today as hurricane-force winds and blizzard conditions pummel the country. Gusts of up to 90mph, sleet and snowdrifts are expected to bring the transport network grinding to a halt in a repeat of the chaos sparked by last year’s Siberian conditions.

The country has been issued with a maximum-level red extreme weather warning by the Met office as an Atlantic tempest sucks Arctic winds over the country.

Winds ranked 12, the maximum force on the Beaufort scale, will be strong enough to blow vehicles across roads and cause transport chaos resulting from bridge closures across Scotland.

The Scottish Government last night advised people to work from home in order to reduce the risk of delays and accidents. The country has been issued with a maximum-level red extreme weather warning by the Met office.

Rail services will also be badly affected by the extreme weather, with several services withdrawn overnight. Specific advice related to red wind warnings suggests “widespread structural damage” is likely.

Roofs could be blown off houses, mobile homes overturned and power lines brought down.

There will also be a “risk to personal safety” caused by flying debris.

It will be the worst storm since January 2002, when winds of up to 135mph tore roofs from buildings, ripped up trees and blew dozens of lorries onto their sides.

Seven people were killed and 40,000 homes left without power.

A foot of snow is expected to fall over the course of today, with four inches expected in lower lying areas.

Southern and central Scotland are covered by the red alert for 70-90mph wind gusts for 24 hours from this morning, with the rest of Scotland on amber “be prepared” alert for 60mph winds.

The weather alert also covers Tayside, Fife, Strathclyde and Lothian and the Borders, while the Highlands will suffer widespread icy conditions and snow on all roads in the region.

The North of England has been issued with a cold weather warning by the Met Office.

Police forces across Scotland have advised that conditions for travel will be “extremely poor” and there was the likelihood of “significant delays” caused by the closures of major routes such as the Forth Road Bridge.

Roads are also expected to be blocked by debris such as fallen trees. Rail operator ScotRail ­yesterday withdrew services between Aberdeen and Glasgow and Edinburgh and Inverurie ahead of the storm.

Officials also warned that speed restrictions and reduced services may have to be imposed.Renfrewshire Council is also shutting down all its schools from 1pm today. And all 65 primaries and nine secondaries in the Borders will be shut from lunchtime.

Met Office forecaster Dan ­Williams said that the issuing of a red weather warning is extremely rare – experts did not even issue one when Hurricane Katia hit the West coast earlier this year. He added: “Wind is the major focus for Thursday and earlier on Friday, and we are expecting travel disruption with bridge possible closures.”

Transport Minister Keith Brown said yesterday: “Commuters are advised that if they can leave work earlier or work from home, that would be a very ­sensible step.”

Fife Constabulary told travellers to expect the Forth and Tay Bridges to be closed to all traffic.

The force’s head of road ­policing, Chief Inspector Davie McCulloch, said: “Drivers should prepare to be delayed and are advised to ensure they have sufficient fuel for an extended journey, spare clothing and a fully charged mobile phone to hand.”

And Tayside Police warned of “severe, potentially damaging and very disruptive, winds”.

It came after roads such as the A835 and A87 in the north of Scotland were badly affected by sleet and ice yesterday, along with roads on Shetland.

This makes it sound like the world is going to end...

[ckamo]

Well...we surived that hurricane thing in the 2nd week of September...I'm sure it'll be fine.

[hockeyislife4]

What do you guys use the most for weather? Like the weather network, accuweather, you phone app....etc

http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/city/pages/bc-74_metric_e.html

[Owen Nolan]

Really? If anything I'd say it's been very mild if not warmer then usual.

Not saying you're wrong , but the last month we've been seeing highs of 4-6 degrees , while the average historical highs are 7-9 degrees around this time...

Edited December 8, 2011 by Owen Nolan

[DarthNinja]

Accuweather never seem to get it right whenever I check.

We have a huge storm coming in tomorrow apparently. 90mph winds, ferries and trains are being cancelled, bridges closed. We've been told to expect structural damage in some areas. And then there's more snow coming in after it on Friday.

Then again, they never seem to get anything right with the weather these days, so I may not even notice it. Who knows.

[Common sense]

Maybe it's just me, but I have yet to see any bit of rain in Vancouver...and now they say it'll snow?

[MegaNuck]

Maybe it's just me, but I have yet to see any bit of rain in Vancouver...and now they say it'll snow?

I dont buy the snow stuff either. Too good to be true

[lateralus]

Not saying you're wrong , but the last month we've been seeing highs of 4-6 degrees , while the average historical highs are 7-9 degrees around this time...

The average high for November was 9º

[Sully2Cool]

Colder temps out West, more snow in Ontario, Quebec this winter: AccuWeather

TORONTO - The kind of winter you're in for depends entirely on which side of the country you live in — but take heart Canada, it's not expected to be a particularly brutal season.

Residents of Western Canada should hunker down for a colder than normal winter while those on the East Coast can look forward to a milder season, according to predictions for the country from meteorologists at AccuWeather.

But when it comes to snow, the residents of Ontario and Quebec should ready their shovels for a little more of the white stuff than normal, although they can take solace in the fact that temperatures won't be as frigid.

"I guess you could call it a mixed bag, but that's probably pretty typical of any winter in Canada — one part of the country is going to end up having an easier winter than normal while another part of the country gets hit harder," said senior meteorologist Jack Boston.

"As you divide Canada into two pieces right around Winnipeg, east of there it's probably going to be a little less harsh than it usually is and west of that line it's going to be harsher than it is temperature wise."

Those in the Atlantic provinces can expect a tamer season but residents in the southern Maritimes should brace for a mix of rain and snow for the second half of the winter.

Over in Quebec, ski and snow board enthusiasts can look forward to a good season north of Montreal and Quebec City once the new year begins.

Meanwhile, northern and central Ontario can expect above normal snowfall while southwestern parts of the province are predicted to have milder temperatures which could lead to more rain.

Ottawa, Toronto, London, Ont., Sudbury, Ont., and NorthBay, Ont., will likely see a stormier, snowier winter, but it won't be that frigid, said Boston.

He warned however that residents of Ontario and Quebec should get their winter tires on and brace for episodes of icy roads and snowy driving conditions over the next few months.

The Prairies are expected to get cold, dry and windy conditions for much of the winter with below-normal precipitation and snow days predicted for much of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Those living in Saskatoon, Regina and Winnipeg will be whipped by the wind and chilled by the cold thanks to a stronger northern jet stream, but they can expect few snowstorms.

Further west, Alberta is bracing for a typical harsh winter but it's British Columbia which is predicted to get notably lower than normal temperatures thanks to a stream of Arctic air bearing down on the regions.

"Western Canada is where you should be prepared for the extreme cold," said Boston. "We think temperatures are going to be below to much below normal this winter basically from the southern Yukon down through B.C., Alberta and into southern Saskatchewan."

Boston cautions those out west to take care against the looming frigid conditions and dress appropriately for the weather.

AccuWeather meteorologists are even expecting Vancouver and Victoria to experience one of their top three coldest winters in the region in the past 20 years.

Boston's warnings for west coast residents echo a previous forecast from the Weather Network last month, which predicted much of western Canada will be gripped by an unseasonably arctic chill for much of the winter.

Weather Network meteorologist Chris Scott said the cold snap in B.C. will lead to higher than average precipitation, which could offer a boon for the province's skiers.

The network called for a roller-coaster season on Canada's east coast, featuring erratic temperature swings and occasionally major storms. The culprit behind much of that unpredictability will be La Nina, a large pool of colder than normal water off the coast of South America, which tends to make for very changeable conditions.

"The thing to prepare for this winter is a lot of ups and downs, a lot of freeze/thaws cycles, especially in areas that are closer to freezing," Scott said.

[Sully2Cool]

Weather forecast for Vancouver: coldest in 20 years

VANCOUVER — Expect a blast of arctic air to smother Metro Vancouver and much of B.C. this winter.

That's the prediction from the AccuWeather forecasting service released today.

Weather forecaster Brett Anderson says this winter could be one of the top three coldest winters in the past 20 years for Vancouver and Victoria.

Anderson expects more Arctic cold to penetrate Alberta as well, AccuWeather said in a press release.

AccuWeather, established in 1962, calls itself "the world's weather authority" and provides local forecasts throughout the world.

It's headquartered in State College, PA.

[Sully2Cool]

Want a white Christmas this year? Try heading north

Dust off that old Bing Crosby record, because according to Environment Canada, the only white Christmas we'll likely be enjoying this year is the one coming from our speakers.

"Right now if you were an odds maker I'd be betting a few loonies on the fact there will be a few more areas than last year that will be green rather than white this Christmas," the agency's senior climatologist, Dave Phillips, told CTV News.

A white Christmas tends to involve at least two centimetres of snow on the ground come December 25.

With the exception of our northern compatriots up in Yellowknife, Whitehorse, and Iqaluit, who never met a December that wasn't blanketed in the stuff, the rest of us can expect little more than a polite dusting on the front yard.

Although cities like Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, and Winnipeg have each had varying amounts of snow up to now, the showing is paltry compared to previous years.

Along the Atlantic coast capitals there's nary a flake to be seen. Same goes for major towns like Toronto, Quebec City, and Vancouver.

In fact, the unseasonably has some Canadians asking "where's winter?" Of course, Canada will eventually be walloped by the white stuff this winter. We're just going to get a reprieve through the holiday season.

"For Canadians to see a guaranteed white Christmas at this stage they're going to have to go north," Phillips tells CTV.

But for those who can't imagine celebrating the holidays without the promise of a few itinerant flakes, Phillips provided a spark of hope.

"There could be some surprises, there are storms not even born yet that will give us snow before Christmas. But whether we get it is one thing, whether we can hold onto it is another," he said, adding that weather can attack us from any direction.

Still, if you have the budget and feel like seeing the world, you could try to book a holiday to New York City, Prague or Paris - they're just some of the international destinations that appear to be a lock for the storied white Christmas.

[Sully2Cool]

White Christmas? Dream on: Environment Canada says snow less likely over time

TORONTO - Dreaming of a white Christmas may be a holiday tradition, but Canadians are more likely than ever to wake up instead to the dreary brown reality wrought by climate change, Environment Canada said Monday.

The chances of seeing at least two centimetres of snow on the ground on Dec. 25 have been decreasing steadily over the past several decades as the effects of global warming take hold in cities from coast to coast, the agency said.

Senior climatologist David Phillips tabulated the numbers after hearing anecdotal grumbling about the lack of snow come Christmas Day.

By compiling snowfall figures across the country from 1964 to 2009 and tracking averages, he began to see a picture that verified the informal accounts he'd been dismissing for years.

"The one season that truly is not what it used to be is winter," Phillips said in an interview.

"I had this argument with old-timers years ago. They'd say, 'We don't think the winters are what they used to be," and I'd say, 'Nonsense.' But they've been right."

Average snow levels show a marked decrease in the likelihood of a winter wonderland on Christmas Day in nearly all regions of Canada.

In Edmonton, Saskatoon and Quebec City, where a white Christmas was all but a certainty between 1964 and 1982, the probability of a snowbound holiday has fallen sharply between 1991 and 2009.

Quebec City's chances have slipped to 95 per cent, Saskatoon's to 89 per cent and Edmonton to 79 per cent. The steepest drop, however, was in Sarnia, Ont., where the odds of a white Christmas, once three in four, are now less than one in three.

Some northern cities, such as Kenora, Ont., Goose Bay, N.L. and Iqaluit, are still assured of a white Christmas, but remain susceptible to the rising temperatures that are causing problems in other, more southern locales, Phillips said.

Canadian winters are one of the best places to observe the impact of global warming, said Phillips, noting that average temperatures have increased nearly three degrees over the last 64 years. That's what's to blame for the diminished snowfall.

P.J. Partington, climate-change policy analyst with the Pembina Institute, a think tank focused on environmental issues, said the numbers represent a serious problem.

Canada's cultural traditions, which are largely grounded in winter symbols and sports, would be threatened by a long-term reduction in snowfall — to say nothing of the impact on the tourism industry, Partington said.

"There's also a big risk to agriculture and municipal water supply," he said. "For some areas that rely on snow pack for their water, less precipitation in winter means more water stress in summer."

Also Monday, Environment Minister Peter Kent confirmed what had long been suspected: Canada is pulling out of the Kyoto Protocol, the binding climate treaty forged in the late 1990s to which the country was a signatory.

Kent made the announcement one day after marathon climate talks wrapped up in the South African port city of Durban, where nearly 200 countries took key steps towards a new climate treaty by 2015 to replace Kyoto, which expires at the end of next year.

The impact of global warming will likely be more dramatic in the coming years as temperatures continue to rise, and the face of Christmas may be changed for good, Phillips warned.

"We're going to have to dream a little harder, I think, to see the kind of things our parents and our parents absolutely took for granted," he said.

"Maybe we'll all be asking Santa Claus for a white Christmas now."

[John316]

Today's news said not much snow this winter. This was after they said few months ago worst winter in 30years!!

[Common sense]

so what's it gonna be? snow...or no snow?

[DarthNinja]

Snow in Southern Cali?

Rain and snow continued to fall across areas of Southern California Monday, creating headaches for evening commuters and closing many mountain roads.There is also the threat of thunderstorms prior to Tuesday morning in the SoCal area, where a winter storm warning went into effect earlier in the day.

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Snow-Rain-Storm-LA-Weather-Flooding-135435278.html