With the official arrival of winter about two weeks away, weather experts say Wellington County residents can expect a more traditional season than the winter of 2013-14.
Despite the low temperatures and snow the region experienced this November, Geoff Coulson, an Environment Canada warning preparedness meteorologist, said Wellington could have higher than normal temperatures this month.
The normal high in the early part of December is 2C, with normal highs dropping to -1 or -2C later in the month.
The type of precipitation will vary depending on the weather, which Coulson said will likely remain inconsistent, with dramatic temperature swings.
He warned it is very important for drivers to pay attention to daily forecasts, as plummeting temperatures mean there is a very real possibility wet sections of roads could quickly become icy.
Coulson said due to lake-effect snow from Lake Huron, there is still a strong possibility of snow squalls throughout the county from December to February. However, each region may not experience the same winter weather at the same time.
“One part of the county can be bright sunshine and nothing happening and then just maybe 5 to 6km further north, they can be involved in one of these bands of snow from Lake Huron and have very poor visibilities in snow and blowing snow,” Coulson explained.
For January and February, Coulson forecasts normal temperatures, ranging from -1 to -4C, and average precipitation.
Dayna Vettes, a meteorologist with the Weather Network, said this winter’s temperatures in Wellington County could be two to three degrees lower than the average, but not as low as what was experienced last year.
She said the average daytime high for the region in December is 1 or 0C and for January and February the average daytime highs are 0 to -2C.
Neither Coulson nor Vettes forecasted an ice storm like Ontario experienced last winter but both said the public should be prepared.
Coulson said now is the time for drivers to ensure they have their snow tires on their vehicles and emergency kits in their trunks. Kits should include a small shovel and extra blankets or winter clothes in case someone has to wait by the vehicle for assistance, he said.
On the road is not the only place residents should be prepared, Coulson said, adding people should put together a 72-hour emergency kit for their homes.
The kit should include flashlights, a battery-powered radio and enough diapers, medicine, dog food and other supplies to get through a two- or three-day period if it isn’t possible to get to a store.
