A cold winter is coming to at least half of British Columbia, according to The Weather Network’s long-range forecast.
The half in question is, of course, the eastern chunk of the province.
Osoyoos and Merritt are on the warmer side of the divide, but Kelowna is just inside the cold half.
The Weather Network said there will be a “heightened risk for periods of severe cold” this winter.
The BC divide is also expected to apply to snow, with the eastern half seeing above normal amounts of the white stuff and the western half experiencing "near normal" amounts.
Looking at the rest of the country, the forecaster reckons “a strong start to the winter is expected” for most regions.
“While Canada enjoyed an exceptionally mild fall, a dramatic flip in the jet stream pattern is underway, bringing about an abrupt transition to winter,” it explained in its prediction, released this morning.
It went on: “Arctic air is invading the country, and progressively colder shots are likely as we head into and through December. This will result in a colder start to winter than we have become accustomed to in recent years.
“An exceptionally early disruption of the polar vortex has set the stage for a steady supply of Arctic air into southern Canada, especially from the Rockies to the Maritimes, through most of December and into the start of 2026.”
The forecast, written by meteorologist Doug Gillham, also warned of a “slightly stronger” La Niña this time around.
That, combined with the polar vortex, “should deliver a truly Canadian winter for most of the country,” Gillham wrote.
But that’s just the first half of the winter, according to the forecast, because it’s “not yet clear” whether the chilly temperatures will persist through February.
Either way, best to get the parka dusted off.
