Final Winter Forecast 2010 - 2011


My final winter forecast is now posted, and I apologize for the delay. I wanted to get some more weather data and advice before I finalized the forecast. It turns out that the winter pattern is now changing from what I had originally thought (See my previous winter forecast). My current winter forecast idea is currently being discussed by meteorologists who have begun to doubt their own winter predictions...many of which are drastically different from this one. I am not saying that my forecast is what changed their view, but instead I am explaining that the current weather data is starting to change a lot of perspectives on the 2010 - 2011 winter.



Originally, meteorologists were predicting a fair amount of snowstorms for the Eastern Great Lakes, however that is changing now and the storm track will be further west than originally thought. They also had not been expecting a storm track along the northeast coast, which now seems to be a great possibility. In fact, I believe that we will see at least 5 major east coast storms this year that will deliver 10 inches or more to cities such as; Boston, Portland, Manchester, and Halifax. We have already seen an active storm pattern along the coast through the month of October, which could signify what the upcoming winter will be like. 


Southern Ontario Winter Forecast
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Between now and January, I believe that Southern Ontario could experience one or two winter storms. These storms will be a rain/snow mix for most of Southern Ontario, however areas around Niagara Falls and Windsor could receive an icy mix with their rain and snow. Lake effect snow will become a nuisance after these storms pass through.
                                                                       
The La-Nina will only get stronger in the new year, and this is how I believe 2011 will start off. We will get a thaw around the middle of January. Temperatures will rise to slightly above zero at times for most of Southern Ontario. Cold air will then sweep back into Southern Ontario in the beginning of February, and temperatures will fall well below zero degrees Celsius. The lake effect snow machine will kick in again, and the Alberta Clippers will start to make their appearance in Southern Ontario. Alberta Clippers tend not to give out much snow due to their speed and lack of explosive development; that is precisely why Southern Ontario will receive only an average snowfall this year. The lake effect snow will also be average this year, and if you noticed, I drew flurries around the snow squall bands; this is to leave room for those bands that sometimes move north or south during a 24 hour period. I will be updating you on all the latest developments concerning this upcoming winter and the events that lie ahead.

15 comments:

HighVoltage1200 said...

Would it be safe to say Burlington Ontario & the Freelton Ontario Area will be without a large amount of snow all winter but rather a more Rainy Icy Mixture of precipitation Also in regards to temperatures what is the most likely coldest it'll get below 0 Celcius in your opinion ? (Just Bought a New Trailer need to know how to react to winter this year)
Bill

Weather Nut said...

Bill:
No, Burlington will get its fair share of snow on top of some icy precipitation. The icy precipitation will be more likely in December and January as temperatures continue to fluctuate around zero degrees Celsius.

What can be common with most east coast storms are pockets of snow bands that can develop in the back side of the storm. This places Burlington and Freelton in a risk zone for some of these snow bands. The occasional Alberta Clipper could also bring 5 - 15 centimeters of snow...depending on the exact track.

The temperatures in this area might get as low as -10 degrees Celsius during the month of February. This would only occur during the sharpest of cold fronts and most likely at night.

Anonymous said...

Do you have any prediction for how much ice will form on the south shore of lake Ontario? Is there a model for the heat energy in the lake and how long it would take to dissipate?

Anonymous said...

When is the first snowfall expected when the snow will stick to the ground? also when are the first flurries expected for?

Anonymous said...

What's your forcast for southern Bruce County till the end of 2010?

Weather Nut said...

Anomynous: I hope this Environment Canada web page helps you with any information you might need regarding the Great Lakes.

http://ice-glaces.ec.gc.ca/app/WsvPrdCanQry.cfm?CanID=11080&Lang=eng

Weather Nut said...

Anomynous: The next chance for flurries will be next week sometime around November 18 and 19(Thursday and Friday).

Early indications have shown a heavier snowfall possibly during the beginning of December. The current temperature outlook seems to be fairly average for this time of the year, and if this keeps up; we will definitely see some snow sticking to the ground during the middle of December.

Anonymous said...

Perhaps a silly question - but given the temperatures remaining high, I'm unsure when to put the winter tires on my car. In Oakville by the way.

And what would you consider an average amount of snow? Last year seemed to be quite below average.

Thanks

Anonymous said...

What do you think Brantford Ontario's snowfall will be?

Anonymous said...

Any predictions near the Barrie/Collingwood Area?
Will there be enough snow for a great ski season late december throughout to January?

Anonymous said...

Hello Weather Nut:

Hamilton/Dundas area below escarpment. Same prediction as for Burlington? I'm thinking of buying a snowblower.

Paul

Anonymous said...

Besides lake effect snowsqualls, what do you predict as for storms in Southern Ontario (Barrie Area) ?? Will it be rain, or snow??

yulegill said...

I love this site it's amazing as well but as a tracker for my area i have a question for you to try and answer that is is Toronto going to get their share of storms this year or we just not going to get them? meaning near misses? and is there a current storm to hit our area in the next 24 hours as well?

Weather Nut said...

yulegill:

Toronto has a chance for a winter storm this weekend. Check out the latest post regarding this possibility.

www.advancedweather.blogspot.com

ILikeWeatherGuy said...

hi! :P i was just wondering if theres gonna be an average amount of snow in toronto :P i wanna go snowboarding :) you guys are amazing and ima become a meteorologist too! ;D its so fascinating! :D