‘We still have a lot of winter to go’: climatologist warns cold not done with Canada

Climatologist David Phillips explains Ontario's recent cold snap and what the rest of the winter holds amid cold warnings across the province.

Sunday’s forecast includes a mix of weather conditions across Canada: cold temperatures, strong winds, snow, freezing rain, sun and fog.

• Your hourly and 7-day forecast on CTVNews.ca weather hub

David Phillips, climatologist for Environment and Climate Change Canada, described the mixed weather conditions seen this winter as relentless.

“It was not just cold, but it was snowing, and often you don’t get the two together,” he told CTV News Channel on Sunday.

Phillips highlights cities like Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, which had the warmest fall on record, but have experienced below-normal temperatures from November through February.

Quebec and Ontario

Toronto, Ottawa and its surrounding areas are under a cold warning yellow alert, according to Environment Canada, warning of extreme cold wind chills that can cause frostbite.

As of Sunday afternoon, temperatures were sitting at -15 C in Toronto and -17 C in Ottawa, with readings expected to rise during the day with the sunshine.

However, wind chills of -30 to -40 are expected tonight in some surrounding areas until Monday morning, with Environment Canada warning Canadians in those parts to take precautions and monitor for cold-related symptoms.

• READ MORE: Ottawa, Toronto among areas still under cold warning as deep freeze grips Ontario
• READ MORE: Environment Canada warns of-35 to -40 windchills in Ottawa, cold warning still in effect

Those symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness, tingling, swelling, colour change in fingers and toes, or pain.

The agency advises people to dress in layers and wear a wind-resistant outer layer, noting that frostbite can develop with the expected wind chills.

In Thunder Bay, it is warmer, with temperatures around -5 C and wind chills near -13 this afternoon, continuing overnight. There is a 40 per cent chance of flurries in Thunder Bay tonight, expected to continue into Monday morning.

While Montreal, currently at -16 C, is not under a cold warning, the city can still expect cold windchills of -20 this evening and -26 overnight.

• READ MORE: Cold Montreal winter means steep Hydro-Quebec bills for many

Quebec City is a little warmer, sitting at -12 C, with wind chills of -15 to -22 tonight.

Western Canada

Fog warnings are in effect for areas southwest of Winnipeg, currently -4 C, and southeast of Regina, currently 4 C, along the border of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and central Saskatchewan.

“Dense fog continues over portions of central and southeastern Saskatchewan, as well as southwestern Manitoba early this morning,“ the alert says.

“Travel will likely be hazardous in some locations. Visibility will likely be suddenly reduced at times.”

In Saskatoon and its surrounding areas, where temperatures are around −1 C, there is a freezing-rain alert in effect.

“A few hours of freezing rain are expected before precipitation transitions to snow” the alert says. “Roads and walkways will likely become icy and slippery. There is risk of injury due to slips and falls.”

Phillips noted that while much of eastern Canada has endured cold temperatures, western regions have experienced warmer-than-usual temperatures this season.

In Edmonton, currently 6 C, and Calgary, currently at 8 C, it is partly cloudy but mainly sunny. While temperatures in both these cities overnight will fall below zero, warm temperatures above zero and sun are expected throughout the week.

Sunny skies and warmer temperatures are also present in Vancouver, currently at 9 C, Victoria, currently at 7 C, and Prince George, currently at 3 C. Mixed weather conditions are expected throughout the week in these areas, like flurries, rain, sunshine and cloud.

Atlantic Canada

Northwest of St. John’s, currently at -2 C, there is a special weather alert for significant snowfall, with 10 to 20 cm of snow expected in some parts.

“The heaviest snowfall will occur over higher terrain with much less along the coast where temperatures will be milder,” Environment Canada said.

“Additional snowfall is possible Monday night and Tuesday, but snowfall rates are expected to ease after the day on Monday.”

There is a chance of light snow in Charlottetown, currently at -5 C, Halifax, currently at -6 C and Fredericton, currently at -4 C, throughout the week.

The territories

North of Whitehorse, at -7 C, a blizzard warning is in effect, with wind gusts of up to 90km/h.

“A ridge of high pressure over the Mackenzie Delta combined with an approaching low pressure system moving through the Gulf of Alaska will create favourable conditions for strong easterly winds along the Dempster Highway,” the alert says.

“Temperatures near -35 C combined with the wind will produce wind chill values of -45 to -50, increasing the risk of hypothermia and frostbite.”

In Yellowknife and Iqaluit, temperatures are around -20 C.

More winter to come

According to Phillips, a change in the weather systems may bring some warm temperatures to parts of eastern Canada, but the last week of February will be cold again.

“It’s going to be cold from coast to coast,” he said.

“We still have a lot of winter to go.”