Published on January 6, 2024 at 1:02 p.m.
The polar vortex is this low pressure area in the stratosphere that contains the coldest air on the planet. He has been conspicuous by his absence from Canada so far this winter, but will be visiting some provinces soon. Explanations.
The cold is gone
Canada experienced an exceptionally mild December in December 2023. In Winnipeg and Calgary, the average monthly temperature was 7° higher than normal. This was also a record for Calgary, where the average December maximum was 0.5°. In Saskatoon, the mercury temperature was 9° above average throughout December, another record. But the situation will change suddenly.
Turnaround situation
Starting next week, the polar vortex will subside significantly over Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. British Columbia will not be spared. You'll need to dress extra warm to ski in the Rocky Mountains next week. Temperatures will be about 10° colder than the seasonal average. An impressive contrast to the month of December.
Up to -40°
Take Edmonton for example. Even at its maximum, the mercury temperature could remain below -25°C for almost three days. We are even talking about a maximum of -27°. Note that the average maximum for this period is around -7°. At night we are talking about lows of up to -33°. According to meteorologist Bertin Ossonon, “we could see low temperatures as low as -40° in places in the mountains.”
Quebec escapes him… for now
During this time, Quebec will experience a completely different reality, with a positive temperature anomaly. The mercury temperature is between 2° and 6° above normal. In Montreal, for example, the maximum could reach 4° in the middle of next week, while the average is -5°. The mercury will remain above average through next weekend, January 15th.
In collaboration with Bertin Ossonon, meteorologist
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