Toronto 
Credit: CNW Group/The Weather Network
The Weather Network has released its annual winter forecast for the 2020-2021 season and the agency says the winter will feature a wide variety of extreme weather across Canada.
Canadians could experience everything from winter wonderlands to spring-like spells in the months ahead. The Weather Network says cooler Pacific Ocean temperatures off the coast of South America, also known as “La Nina,” will create a strong jet stream separating warm southern air masses from their colder northern counterparts.
Chris Scott, Chief Meteorologist at The Weather Network said, “The focus of the severe cold will be across western Canada, especially during January and February. Meanwhile, extended periods of mild weather are expected from the Great Lakes to the Maritimes with the potential for record warmth. However, arctic air will also push into these regions from time to time, and an active storm track coast to coast will deliver an abundance of snow and ice to most of Canada.”
Scott said the long-term patterns may not be evident at first, since the December forecast is calling for conditions that defy the overall forecasts. In broad strokes, he predicted an overall milder month for western Canada with more wintry conditions likely in Ontario and points east.
The Weather Network Winter Weather Forecast for 2020-2021
British Columbia
The Weather Network expects colder than normal temperatures are expected across B.C., especially during January and February with a heightened risk for extended periods of frigid weather and heavy snow.
Expect an outstanding ski season is anticipated with an abundance of fresh powder to enjoy as above normal precipitation is expected for southern parts of the province, and
Temperature Outlook: Below normal
Precipitation Outlook: Above normal south and central coast and interior regions; Near normal elsewhere
Prairies
The Prairies can expect a frigid winter.
While the first half of December will bring periods of very mild weather, the Weather Network expects a colder pattern for January and February with a heightened risk for extended periods of severe cold. A snowy winter is also expected across the southern half of Alberta and parts of southern Saskatchewan. Near normal snowfall is expected elsewhere.
Alberta
Temperature Outlook: Below normal
Precipitation Outlook: Above normal south and central; Near normal elsewhere
Saskatchewan
Temperature Outlook: Below normal
Precipitation Outlook: Above normal southwest and southcentral; Near normal elsewhere
Manitoba
Temperature Outlook: Below normal
Precipitation Outlook: Near normal
Ontario and Quebec
A consistent early winter weather pattern remains during December.
The Weather Network says though January and February will bring extended periods of very mild weather, an active storm track across the region will bring a heightened risk for major winter storms with heavy snow, ice, and rain.
Northern Ontario will be the battle zone between frigid weather to the west and mild air to the south. This will result in changeable temperatures and near to above seasonal snowfall.
Ontario
Temperature Outlook: Above normal south, east and northeast; Below normal far northwest
Precipitation Outlook: Above normal south, east and northeast; Near normal elsewhere
Quebec
Temperature Outlook: Above normal south; below normal far north
Precipitation Outlook: Above normal south; Near normal elsewhere
Atlantic Canada
According to the agency, a mild pattern is expected to dominate across the Maritimes this winter, primarily during January and February with near-normal temperatures for Newfoundland.
An active storm track will bring above-normal precipitation to much of the Maritimes and near normal precipitation to Newfoundland and Labrador.
The agency says variety of different storm types and tracks are expected with a heightened risk for rain and ice at times.
Temperature Outlook: Above normal Maritimes; Near normal Newfoundland, below normal coastal Labrador
Precipitation Outlook: Above normal Maritimes; Near normal Newfoundland and Labrador
Northern Canada – Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut
This winter is expected to be colder than most of the recent winters of the past decade. A colder than normal winter is expected for much of the Yukon, NWT, and southern Nunavut with near normal temperatures for the high arctic with near normal snowfall.
Temperature Outlook: Below normal Yukon, NWT, and southern Nunavut; Near normal elsewhere
Precipitation Outlook: Below normal southwest Yukon; Near normal elsewhere
— With Files From The Canadian Press