Polar vortex could send parts of Canada into deep freeze towards holidays
Canadians should brace themselves for a frigid few weeks heading into the holidays, as a polar vortex is forecast to slam parts of the country.
The meteorological term came into the zeitgeist in 2014, when Canada experienced the coldest winter in 18 years and the third coldest in 35 years.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a polar vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding both of the Earth’s poles. It always exists near the poles, but is weaker in the summer and stronger in the winter.
“Many times during winter in the northern hemisphere, the polar vortex will expand, sending cold air southward with the jet stream,” explained the NOAA. “This occurs fairly regularly during wintertime and is often associated with large outbreaks of Arctic air in the United States.”
NOAA
Canada is typically also in the path of the polar vortex, which is why Canadians living between Regina and Rouyn, Que., experienced temperatures colder than Mars in 2014.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), cold air is expected to begin moving into much of western Canada early this week and spread to eastern Canada by the end of this week, or next weekend.
“The arrival of colder temperatures in some areas will be preceded by one or two days of warmer-than-normal temperatures,” an ECCC spokesperson told Daily Hive. “The cold is then expected to persist through much of the first week of December but will begin to ease in western Canada as the week progresses.”
The spokesperson added that it’s possible that cold air will continue into the second week of December, particularly in central and eastern Canada.
“But the latest forecasts indicate that temperatures are expected to drop by the end of that week,” they noted.
According to the ECCC’s latest forecasts, average temperatures for the first week of December are expected to be up to 5Ā°C below normal in affected regions. Parts of the Prairies could experience temperatures exceeding 10Ā°C below normal at times.
ECCC
Does this frigid Arctic air mean you’ll need to get your snow boots out?
If you live in Alberta, then, yes, you’ll need to get your winter gear ready.
According to the ECCC, snowfall warnings are in effect for portions of southern Alberta, with heavy snow expected to fall on Monday, Nov. 24.
Forecasters say that snowfall with total amounts of 10 to 15 cm is expected on Monday. Snowfall will be heavy at times, reducing visibility to below 500 metres.
If you live in Vancouver, it’s less likely that the polar vortex will bring snow, but it’s not necessarily impossible.
ECCC Meteorologist Ken Dosanjh told Daily Hive that it’s possible to see snow fall in areas like the Sea to Sky Highway, and that things can change quickly when Arctic air is involved.
With files from Amir Ali and Laine Mitchell