Will Windsor-Essex have a blanket of snow to celebrate the holidays?
For a second year in a row, officials with Environment and Climate Change Canada say there’s a 50-50 chance of a white Christmas in Windsor-Essex this year.
Meteorologist Gerald Cheng says it’s too early to say for sure if snow will blanket the region on or before Dec. 25, noting that depends on weather patterns which typically form one week before the date.
“It's possible. It's not impossible,” Cheng said.
“For us to have a white Christmas in southwestern Ontario first, it has to be cold enough. Second, there must be some disturbance moving through dumping snow and the snow has to stick so that by Christmas morning, you have two centimetres on the ground.”
Cheng said based on statistics, it’s not really that favourable, recalling Windsor was met with fog and a balmy 11C last Christmas morning.
Holiday light display at 2519 Rivard Avenue in Windsor, Ont. on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)
“We have to go all the way back to 2017. That was truly a white Christmas,” Cheng said. “At 8 a.m. 2017, Dec. 25 we were about minus eight. So it was cold, but we had 11 centimeters on the ground, and it was snowing. So it was a perfect white Christmas.”
Cheng suggested for those that wish to see snow on Dec. 25, to travel to Ontario’s Snow Belt for greater odds.
“We’re really at the mercy of Mother Nature,” Cheng said. “So we will have to see what the patterns will hold in terms of giving us a disturbance that will give us snow. At least the temperature seems like it’s dipping back to seasonal for southwestern Ontario.”
Cheng noted mild temperatures are anticipated in the immediate future before colder weather is ushered back in.
“We do need the temperatures to stay cold so that when systems come it won’t be rain, it will be snow so it really depends the pattern of the week.”
Holiday light display at 1335 Bouffard Road in LaSalle, Ont. on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning as explosions could be heard near a major air base near Isfahan, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike following Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.