When most people think of January in south Simcoe, they typically think of snow and freezing temperatures, but this year’s forecast is expected to be a different story.
“January looks like it’s going to be warmer than normal,” said Dave Phillips, Senior Climatologist with Environment Canada. “It has been a roller coaster, a yo-yo kind of situation.”
It wasn’t that long ago that parts of the region were buried under snow. The Town of Innisfil declared a significant weather event on Dec. 23 in response to a winter storm warning issued by Environment Canada.
And just a couple weeks before that, Bradford West Gwillimbury outlined its 2022-2023 winter operations plan.
But it appears winter has hit the pause button in dramatic fashion.
“Right now we’re getting kind of a war zone of freezing rain, rain and snow in some areas,” said Phillips. “It’s really been kind of a swing back and forth. A pattern that will carry on for the rest of winter.”
He added that warm spells in the winter aren’t unusual, but what’s different is the projected length of the mild weather. Normal temperatures for this time of year in south Simcoe are highs of -3 C and lows of -13 C.
Phillips said it is expected to cool off in the coming days, but that it won’t be a punishing kind of cold.
“We know we can get some tough conditions in February and March, but I think going ahead it’s going to be more of the same,” explained Phillips.
For those, however, who are missing the thrills and chills of winter, not to worry. According to Phillips, you can bet another blast of snow is on the way.
“This is winter missing in action, but not winter gone.”
