What's your payout? El Niño brings Canada a holiday bonus
A strong El Niño is responsible for a remarkably warm December across most of Canada this year
It’s no surprise it’s been a mild December across Canada, thanks to a strong El Niño humming along in the Pacific Ocean.
Although there are a lot of negatives associated with lack of snow cover and warmer temperatures, persistent inflation means many Canadians are looking for unintended savings.
DON'T MISS: Officials already preparing for potentially active 2024 wildfire season in B.C.
Heating costs down, snow removal budgets aren’t strained
This year’s December warmth isn’t catching people off-guard in Eastern Canada as much as it is out west.
The monthly mean temperature is more than 10 degrees warmer this month than it was a year ago.
Saskatoon is the most notable city on the map, failing to drop below -20°C this December. A year ago, the city saw seven nights drop into the -30s, while 16 nights saw temperatures dip into the -20s. We even saw a six-day stretch where daytime highs failed to escape the -20s.
For lots of major Canadian cities, snow removal makes up a significant portion of the city budget. Some municipalities will spend upward of $100 million on snow removal.
A one-inch threshold is common for sending out the plows. In Kenora, 2022 saw 10 days with more than an inch of snow, while 2023 has only seen two days with that much snow to plow.
MUST SEE: Snowbirds face a stormy winter as El Niño influences U.S. patterns
It’s not all good news, though, as ski resorts are suffering across the country. Lots of resorts are running on limited terrain, and we’re still awaiting resort openings across Atlantic Canada.
Skating rinks around Montreal are struggling as well, as most lack the necessary refrigeration when temperatures thaw.
The biggest drawback might ultimately be saved for 2024. Snowpack is vital for the growing season across the Prairies, and the risk of continuing drought across British Columbia will play into the 2024 wildfire season.
Header image showing a mostly snowless southern Ontario on Dec. 15, 2023, courtesy of University of Wisconsin/MODIS.
