The Weather Network Winter Forecast: A Roller-Coaster Season From Coast to Coast

OAKVILLE, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 4, 2008) - The Weather Network predicts a roller-coaster weather pattern in terms of temperature and precipitation across the country from mid-December to the end of the winter. Southern and central Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes are forecast to experience above normal temperatures and precipitation, although the amount of snow expected will not be as heavy as last year when many records were broken. Meanwhile, the southern half of Western Canada should expect near normal temperatures with below normal temperatures across the north. Above normal precipitation is forecast for much of the Prairie provinces and southern interior British Columbia.

One country, two forecasts

Weather systems travelling along the jet stream and across central parts of Ontario and Quebec will bring wetter than normal conditions to the area. Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal should expect both above normal temperatures and precipitation. Winter storms in Atlantic Canada should also bring a wetter than normal season to Fredericton, Halifax and St. John's. With temperatures milder than normal, this area should expect mixed precipitation and messy weather conditions.

"The engine of our global weather patterns, the water temperature in the tropical Pacific Ocean, is in neutral," said Chris Scott, Forecast Operations Manager. "When the engine is in neutral, we typically see large swings in the weather pattern which is why we expect a roller-coaster winter filled with ups and downs in temperature and precipitation."

On the other side of the country, as the polar jet stream moves in from the Pacific Ocean and across the Prairies, below normal temperatures are expected to the north through British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the territories, while near normal temperatures will prevail elsewhere. Along the main storm track, above normal precipitation is expected through the southern B.C. interior, and across the Prairies from central Alberta to southern Manitoba. Cities such as Edmonton, Saskatoon and Winnipeg should be ready for significant snowfall as the jet stream carries storm systems across these regions. On the other hand, Vancouver and Calgary should expect normal levels of precipitation.

What does "above normal" mean?

"Above normal temperature" means that a specific area should expect the average temperature for the winter to be approximately one degree warmer than normal. The same can be applied to "above normal precipitation," which means that a specific area should receive 30% more precipitation than usual. Precipitation can include rain, snow, ice pellets and freezing rain.

The Weather Network 2008-2009 winter programming

The arrival of the winter season means new information and programming at The Weather Network. On December 1, the popular features that help Canadians plan their travels, their outings and their day-to-day activities returned: highway conditions, traveller's forecasts and flu reports will be offered all week on The Weather Network. School day forecasts will be offered several times a day from Monday to Friday, while ski and snowboard conditions will be given during the weekend. All reports will also be available 24/7 on theweathernetwork.com.

Provincial Breakdown

British Columbia: Southern BC can expect near normal temperatures while below normal temperatures are forecast for north and central regions. Below normal precipitation is expected for northern and central coastal BC with above normal precipitation for southern interior BC. The remainder of the province can expect near normal precipitation.

Prairie Provinces: The outlook for temperature across far northern Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba is for below normal values. Temperatures near normal are forecast elsewhere. Above normal precipitation is expected in central Alberta, Saskatchewan and southern Manitoba, including Edmonton and Winnipeg. Near normal precipitation is expected elsewhere.

Ontario & Quebec: Above normal temperatures and precipitation is forecast for southern Ontario and Quebec with below normal temperatures expected for regions near Hudson Bay. Above normal precipitation is forecast for northwestern Ontario.

Atlantic Canada: Above normal temperatures and precipitation are expected.

Northern Canada: Below normal temperatures and near normal precipitation is forecast for the North, except Yukon, where below normal precipitation is expected.

For complete details on normal temperatures and precipitation please visit theweathernetwork.com/statistics/index/.

About The Weather Network and MeteoMedia

The Weather Network and its French counterpart, MeteoMedia, are among the most popular media brands in Canada. They are the undisputed leader of weather information services in Canada across all mediums including cable, satellite, online, mobile and newspapers. The specialty television networks are among the most widely distributed and frequently consulted television networks in Canada. The websites, theweathernetwork.com and meteomedia.com, are among Canada's leading web services. All mobile carriers now distribute The Weather Network and MeteoMedia on their services. As the leading source of weather services in the commercial market, energy companies, municipalities, road services and numerous other commercial clients have their weather information needs met by The Weather Network and MeteoMedia. The growth of The Weather Network and MeteoMedia can be attributed to the continued focus and commitment put into providing the very best weather information to Canadians whose activities are dependent on weather.

                  The Weather Network's Winter 2008/2009 Forecast
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Region            Temperature outlook            Precipitation outlook


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British Columbia  Near normal for southern BC.   Below normal for north and
                  Below normal for central and   central coastal BC. Above
                  northern regions.              normal for southern
                                                 interior BC. Near normal
                                                 elsewhere.
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Alberta           Below normal for the far       Above normal, except
                  north. Near normal elsewhere.  southern and far
                                                 northeastern areas where
                                                 near normal conditions are
                                                 expected.
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Saskatchewan      Below normal for the far       Above normal, except
                  north. Near normal elsewhere.  across the far north and
                                                 extreme south where near
                                                 normal conditions are
                                                 expected.
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Manitoba          Below normal for the north.    Near normal precipitation
                  Near normal for central and    for the north. Above 
                  southern regions of the        normal for central and 
                  province.                      southern regions including
                                                 Winnipeg.
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Ontario           Below normal for the far       Above normal for southern
                  north. Near normal for most    and northwestern sections
                  regions in northern and        of the province. Near
                  central Ontario. Above normal  normal elsewhere.
                  for southern parts of the
                  province.
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Quebec            Above normal for regions       Near normal for central
                  along the St. Lawrence         and northern regions of
                  Seaway and Gulf of St.         the province. Above normal
                  Lawrence. Near normal for      for southern Quebec and
                  central parts of the province. areas near the Gulf of
                  Below normal for regions near  St. Lawrence.
                  Hudson Bay.


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The Maritimes     Above normal.                  Above normal.
and
Newfoundland
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Yukon, Northwest  Below normal.                  Below normal for Yukon.
Territories,                                     Near normal elsewhere.
Nunavut 
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