2021 Farmer's Almanac Winter Outlook: The Winter of the Great Divide

Since 1818, the Old Farmer's Almanac has been providing long-range weather predictions which are based on a mathematical and astronomical formula. People say that the accuracy of these forecasts runs in the neighbourhood of 75% to 80% but always take them with a grain of salt as Mother Nature is ultimately in control and she'll do what she wants.

The Canadian Farmers’ Almanac is predicting a very unusual forecast this year, calling it “The Winter of the Great Divide: Wet, white, and wild in the West, everything crazy in the East.”



"The forecast for the upcoming winter looks a lot different from last year, quite divided with some very intense cold snaps and snowfall.” —Editor Peter Geiger, Philom.

The eastern provinces including Newfoundland, Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, will see unseasonably mild conditions for much of the winter season.

Near normal temperatures will predominate across Quebec west to central Ontario. In these areas, Mother Nature will mix intervals of unseasonably mild temperatures with periodic shots of bitter cold; average it out and it comes out normal.

In contrast, farther west, over western Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and eastern British Columbia will experience much colder than normal winter temperatures. Near normal temperatures are forecast near the Pacific coast of British Columbia.

If you like snow, then you should head out to western Quebec and Ontario, where snowier-than-normal conditions are forecast. In addition, above-normal snow is expected over the interior of British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.

An active storm (thanks to incoming storms from the Pacific) will bring a heavier than normal dose of rain to western British Columbia.



Overall, good news for skiers this winter!