We have made it to December in Alberta, and not only does Christmas arrive this month but so does the start of meteorological winter.
Meteorological winter began today and will run until the last day of February, and if you’ve spent a winter in Alberta, you know those can be some bone-chilling months for us.
Daily Hive chatted with Alysa Pederson, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), on how the winter forecast is looking for Alberta.
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We know a good chunk of December is shaping up to be a bit of a weather rollercoaster, and the full winter outlook is hinting at a cooler signal for Alberta, with the province potentially being impacted by a La Niña event this year; however, it will be a weak one.
Pederson says that a typical La Niña event for Alberta means we’re more likely to get cooler and snowier winters. That being said, with the likelihood of a weak La Niña and an area of warmer Pacific waters off the coast of British Columbia, the impact that may have on our stratosphere may offset anything La Niña may try to deliver.
“It’s a little bit trickier to go too far out, but our guidance is still indicating normal to below normal temperatures for our winter forecasts, essentially, December, January, February,” Pederson said.
If you are a fan of snow, the winter outlook is hinting that precipitation is what meteorologists would anticipate with a La Niña, with ECCC’s current precipitation guidance leaning on the side of wetter than normal for the winter.
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During the winter months when we do get precipitation in the province, Pederson added that it’s usually in the middle of a transition of weather systems.
“When you’re -30°C, you’re not really getting much besides ice crystals. When we’re warmer, it’s usually because there’s an upper ridge and the precipitation is being shifted elsewhere, probably like the Northwest Territories. So it’s always when we’re in the middle of a transition between a warmer temperature regime and colder, or colder to warmer. So it makes it challenging.”
As for what Albertans should anticipate for the 2025/26 winter season, Pederson suggested it’s likely best to prepare for a cooler-than-normal winter.
“Prepare for the cold, and especially with La Niña this year, there’s more confidence in the cold, so lean into a cold preparedness initiative.
While we are zooming towards the holidays, we’ve got you covered on how often Calgary and Edmonton have seen white Christmases so far this century, and if you’re looking for some things to do, check out 27 of the best winter and Christmas things to do in Alberta this year.
