With some exceptions, Canadians will be raising a glass to relatively mild temperatures on New Year’s Eve.
“This year, parts of the Prairies will experience Arctic air but much of the country will be celebrating in above average, moderate temperatures,” said Global News Meteorologist Ross Hull.
It’s a dramatic difference from the last time Dec. 31 rolled around, when the weather put a serious chill on festivities in huge swathes of the country.
This year for Atlantic Canada, things “should be dry,” Hull said, but a weather system emerging out of the U.S. Midwest is poised to bring snow on New Year’s Day.
On New Year’s Eve there’s an evening wind chill of -10 in the forecast for Halifax, warming up to -5 overnight.
WATCH: Mild weather in store for New Year’s Eve in Greater Toronto Area
Ottawa and Montreal are looking at some snow on Monday night and the risk of freezing rain, Hull said. Temperatures are set to hover around the zero mark.
“Temperatures have been above average for much of this month in southern parts of Ontario and Quebec and that trend will continue for New Year’s Eve,” Hull said.
Torontonians, on the other hand, along with those living in other parts of southern Ontario, are expecting precipitation as they ring in the new year, but it won’t be cold enough for snow.
“Keep that rain gear and umbrella handy if you’re celebrating outdoors, but you can leave the parka at home,” Hull said.
By contrast, Hull said, southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba are looking at a truly bone-chilling New Year’s, with windchills approaching -40.
“Southern Alberta will be milder, with windchills only approaching -15 in Calgary,” he added.
And in B.C., Vancouver and Victoria are expected to have a dry New Year’s Eve, with temperatures around freezing.
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