If you thought my last forecast was a little off or sounded strange, it was. Due to a technical glitch, the incorrect forecast was sent, and I didn’t catch it until it was already published.
On the good news front, we are now statistically passing the coldest time of the year. Going forward, the usual temperature range for this time of the year starts warming up!
Well, we can’t really look back at how last issue’s forecast played out, but I will admit that Environment Canada’s forecast was only OK. The area of low pressure that moved through our region last Friday ended up being a little stronger than forecasted, and this in turn impacted the weather that followed.
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As January comes to an end and we move into February, it looks like we will continue to be on the cold side, with only the odd short reprieve of mild weather. Precipitation looks like it will be light for this forecast period, but lately it seems like any low that does come through is dropping at least a few centimetres of snow.
This forecast will begin with arctic high pressure over our region, bringing clear skies and cold temperatures. Expect daytime highs to be around -20 C with overnight lows falling to around -30 C. As this high drifts off to the southeast, and an area of low pressure moves through northern Manitoba, the flow around these two systems will allow temperatures to moderate to around -12 C for highs by Friday. Unfortunately, with the warm temperatures will come windy conditions, making it seem colder than it is. There could be a little bit of snow moving through over the weekend as a cold front pushes through behind the departing northern low.
Cold high pressure will move back in by the start of February with daytime highs falling back to around -20 C and overnight lows dipping back into the -30 to -34 C range. Looking further ahead, there are no signs of any significant or sustained warm-ups moving in.
Usual temperature range for this period: highs, -21 to -6 C; lows, -33 to -16 C.
