The nights have turned colder, the leaves are starting to turn and the anticipation is building. Snowmobile enthusiasts across Canada are looking to the skies, wondering when that glorious white stuff will start to fall and eventually transform our world into a winter playground.
Although the Farmers’ Almanac does not say exactly when the snowmobile season will begin—we sure wish it would—it does provide general predictions for the weather across Canada. The Farmers’ Almanac just released its 2014 Winter Outlook and, according to the forecast, we’re in for a cold one.
Does that mean epic snow loads? Yes and no. Although it will be chilly in B.C., the Almanac says that this province can expect a drier than normal winter. The Prairies, on the other hand, will receive piercing cold with normal precipitation.
Hmmm, this probably isn’t what B.C. sledders, like myself, want to hear, but the good news is that mid-March could see a wave of storminess stretching almost coast to coast. That being the case, March and April may be the best months for sledding in B.C. Remember, too, that colder temperatures usually result in lighter, drier powder or the stuff that is commonly referred to as “blower powder.”
According to the Almanac’s long-range forecast, some wet snow will fall in the higher elevations of Alberta and B.C. during the week of September 16. The first week in October will see some showers that will spread across the Prairies and severe storms are forecast for Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba from October 16 to 19.
Harrowsmith’s Truly Canadian Almanac 2014 has a similar prediction for this winter. According to this publication, B.C. can expect to receive typical weather patterns on the coast but inland regions will get more sun and occasional snow. It also predicts a cooler and wetter spring than normal for B.C.
Harrowsmith’s Truly Canadian Almanac 2014 also says that Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba can expect to see a snowy start to winter but that colder, drier air in January will bring clear, cold days. The Prairies will also see a cooler and wetter March than normal.
It is impossible to be 100 per cent accurate when predicting the weather but the experts say that it’s going to be a colder than normal winter. So now may be a good time to check the temperature ratings on your riding gear and make sure the handlebar warmers on your sled are in good working order.
Hats off to you, Old Man Winter!
For an updated version of this article, see Weather Predictions for the 2014-2015 Sledding Season.
