(Glenn Hicks/paNOW Staff)

By Trevor Redden

Below Average

Some flurries expected, but minimal accumulation this week

Oct 19, 2020 | 12:00 PM

While there may not be any good news for those who aren’t ready for winter temperatures yet, there may be a silver lining.

No, the below-average temperatures aren’t expected to change anytime soon, with Environment Canada projecting cooler than normal daytime highs through Halloween. However, the snowflakes you’ve been seeing draw nearer in the short-term forecast may not amount to much.

Sara Hoffman, meteorologist with Environment Canada, expects flurries through Monday night and into Tuesday across the north central region to amount to no more than four centimetres in localized areas.

“What is happening is the dome of cooler than normal temperatures over the province right now sitting really over the whole Prairies, is creating unstable air. The surface is a little bit warmer than the air on top of it, and that’s creating a lot of mixing in the atmosphere and allowing these pockets of flurries to pass over and bring slight accumulations when they do,” Hoffman explained.

There are, however, a couple specific areas where snowfall could amount to more.

Court proceedings

Drugs and weapons bust in Stanley Mission, results in two year sentence

18h ago

health care

La Loche recipient of new portable blood analyzer, printer kit

20h ago

Crime

Dangerous driving report at Red Wing, leads to arrest of man with gun

23h ago

“If you live near Lac la Ronge, you’re probably very aware of lake effect snow. This time of year, the lake is still open, the water is still [relatively] warm, and when these cooler than normal air masses move over the area it sets up a lot of fuel for snow,” Hoffman explained.

She pointed out instances of lake effect snow around Lac la Ronge in the past week, and even as far south as Lake Diefenbaker.

As for the longer-term forecast, Hoffman advised parents all across the Prairies to ensure Halloween costumers for any trick-or-treating kids allow for plenty of winter clothing.

“We’re in it together. We’re all bundling up in our Halloween costumes together,” Hoffman said.

Daytime high temperatures for this coming weekend are expected to be around -5 Celsius, well below the average high of 7 C.

–

trevor.redden@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Trevor_Redden