Why Canada can thank B.C. for the warmth this week
While B.C.'s weekend storm wasn't a pleasantry for hundreds of thousands of residents, the mid-November warmth it is helping establish is going to be enjoyed by millions of Canadians this week
Canada will be on the receiving end of a gratifying gift this week, at the expense of B.C.
Nearly 200,000 BC Hydro customers were left in the dark this weekend after the wild storm brought intense wind gusts exceeding 100 km/h to parts of the South Coast.
SEE ALSO: Mid-month warm-up to sweep Canada has likely El Niño connection
So, why does the rest of the country owe a debt of gratitude to B.C. for the inbound warmth? That is, if you're a fan of above-average temperatures.
The low-pressure system responsible for it will interact with the Rocky Mountains, allowing for the downsloping, chinook winds to take hold and flight, pushing warm air east.
Because of the placement of the polar and Pacific jet streams, in Northern Canada and the U.S., respectively, and a likely El Niño connection, the warmth will be taking a trip across the country as the week unfolds and progresses.
The first stop on the warmth tour will be the Rockies and the Prairies come Monday, followed by Ontario and Quebec on Wednesday and Thursday, and finally making an appearance in Atlantic Canada on Friday.
Temperatures will be five to 10 degrees above normal in each region. There will be the potential for temperatures to hit the mid-teens, depending on the region. The highest of values are likely to be centred in southwestern Ontario.
While it be warm, it won't be shorts weather since this is November, after all. Keep that in mind while getting ready to head outdoors.
We can expect a bit of a roller-coaster ride for the rest of the month.
Near seasonal or above-seasonal temperatures will dominate across most of Canada during the second half of November and into December. However, there will be quick shots of cooler, but not frigid, weather mixed in with seasonal values that will be cold enough for some messy weather to push in. There are initial signs of some Arctic air greeting Western Canada by the third week of November.
With files from Nathan Howes, a digital journalist at The Weather Network, and Tyler Hamilton and Rhythm Reet, meteorologists at The Weather Network.
