Mild December forecast for Winnipeg, Dave Phillips says
Thank El Nino for mild temperatures, says Environment Canada climatologist
If you enjoyed Winnipeg's mild November, you'll be happy to hear models show similar weather is expected this December, said Dave Phillips, senior climatologist for Environment Canada.
"December looks like it's going to be the warmest of the winter months, clearly well above normal," said Phillips.
Warm air caused by the El Nino effect is behind the mild temperatures, he said. The average temperature was –1 C in November, Phillips said; the average in November 2014 was –9 C.
- December brings spring weather to southern Manitoba
- What does El Nino mean for Manitoba's winter? CBC meteorologist John Sauder explains
- Golfers get warm November round in at Winnipeg course
"It certainly has all the characteristics of being El Nino, and this very well may be the dress rehearsal for what we see this winter," said Phillips.
If you enjoy winter sports such as snowmobiling or snowshoeing, Phillips recommends taking advantage of the cold-weather days when they're here.
"There could be fewer of those wintery-like days [this year]," he said.
A warm, El Nino winter could be good news for farmers and ranchers, said Phillips, because they can worry less about flooding in the spring and may be able to get an early start on the growing season.