TORONTO —
It may still be summer, but Canadians should brace for a “cold and snowy” winter throughout most of the country if the latest prediction from the Farmers’ Almanac is to be believed.
The new edition of the 204-year-old publication reveals its forecast for the winter ahead in an outlook dubbed “the winter of the great divide” because of its call for varying conditions across the country.
The almanac’s long-range weather forecast is anticipating “cold and snowy conditions in the north, dry in the west, and everything crazy in between.”
“Based on our time-tested weather formula, the forecast for the upcoming winter looks a lot different from last year, quite divided with some very intense cold snaps and snowfall,” almanac editor Pete Geiger said in the extended forecast.
The almanac sees western Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and eastern British Columbia experiencing much colder than normal winter temperatures, while near-normal temperatures are forecast near the Pacific coast of B.C.
In contrast, average seasonal temperatures are expected across Quebec and central Ontario. Mixed intervals of unseasonably mild temperatures with periodic shots of bitter cold will average temperatures out in these regions to normal.
For Atlantic Canada, the almanac is predicting an “unseasonably mild winter” in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, P.E.I. and New Brunswick for much of the season.
The almanac suggests there may also be “snow way out” for those who live in western Quebec and Ontario where snowier-than-normal conditions are forecast. Additionally, above-normal snow levels are expected over the interior of B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Due to incoming storms from the Pacific Ocean, an active storm will bring a heavier than normal rain to western B.C.
Farmers’ Almanac has red-flagged the second week of January over Ontario and Quebec for a possible heavy snowfall with a wintry mix for the Maritimes, and another for the second week of February with possible blizzard conditions in eastern Canada.
For much of the eastern half of the country, the final week of March looks stormy with a significant late-season snowfall blowing into Ontario and Quebec and then moving into the Maritimes. Near-normal winter precipitation will cover the rest of the country.
“Preparing people for the unexpected in more important than ever,” Geiger said in a press release. “Our job as editors of the Farmers’ Almanac is to pass down valuable tips and advice to help our readers thrive, no matter the obstacles, including the weather.”
The Farmers’ Almanac has been providing long-range weather predictions every year since 1818. Its forecasts are based on a mathematical and astronomical formula that is guided by the rules set forth by its founding editor David Young for accurately predicting the weather up to two years in advance.
The almanac is reminding viewers that its predictions are long-range and are meant to give Canadians a good idea of the weather that might come their way.
However, it cautions that Mother Nature “loves to throw us a curve ball or two” that may change its initial forecast.
Tim Houston, who is seeking a second term as Nova Scotia premier, said he had no plans to invite Poilievre to join him on the campaign ahead of the Nov. 26 provincial election. He explained the provincial Progressive Conservatives have no formal ties with the Tories in Ottawa — and he made a point of saying he is not a member of the federal party. Experts say it also is because the latest polls suggest Atlantic Canadians have not warmed to Poilievre. (Nov. 5, 2024)
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — It has been a rough few days for Clemson coach Dabo Swinney. First, his 19th-ranked Tigers lost to Louisville on Saturday night, then he was told he couldn’t vote Tuesday at his polling place.
Swinney, whose given name is William, explained that the voting system had locked him out, saying a “William Swinney” had already voted last week. Swinney said it was his oldest son, Will, and not him.
“They done voted me out of the state,” Swinney said. “We’re 6-2 and 5-1 (in the Atlantic Coast Conference), man. They done shipped me off.”
Dabo Swinney had to complete a paper ballot and was told there will be a hearing on Friday to resolve the issue.
“I was trying to do my best and be a good citizen and go vote,” he said. “Sometimes doing your best ain’t good enough. You have to keep going though, keep figuring it out.”
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EDMONTON – The judge leading a fatality inquiry into the knockout death of a boxer is recommending changes to how the sport is regulated and how head injuries are monitored.
Timothy Hague, who was 34, competed in a boxing match licensed by the Edmonton Combative Sports Commission in June 2017 when his opponent, Adam Braidwood, knocked him unconscious.
Hague came to and was able to walk to the dressing room, where he vomited, and was then taken to hospital where he underwent surgery for a large brain bleed.
His condition did not improve, care was withdrawn and Hague died two days after the fight.
Justice Carrie Sharpe with Alberta’s provincial court made 14 recommendations, including that combat sports be overseen by a provincial authority instead of a patchwork of municipal bodies and that there be concussion spotters at every event.
She also recommends that if a fighter receives a blow to the head in a technical knockout, they must provide a brain scan to prove they are fit to compete again.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 5, 2024.
