By Kendall Robertson

La Nina Expected To Bring Cold Temperatures, Snowstorms

Nov 20, 2017 | 2:05 PM

Meteorologists say a La Nina weather pattern will bring colder than normal temperatures and loads of snow this winter. It’s caused by cooler than average temperatures over the Pacific Ocean, and it brings wet cold weather to Canada. The brunt of the winter weather isn’t expected until January, with milder conditions expected throughout December for Western Canada. This winter is expected to be similar to last in Prince George. “These cycles occur between two to seven years so we will be entering a La Nina right now, and we had similar conditions last year… so that might be persistent for a couple of years,” said Environmental Sciences professor, Stephen Déry.

A later start for winter may be a good thing for the City, as just 28% of the $7 million snow removal budget remains for 2017. “That definitely gives us enough for probably two to three snow events, but it also covers day to day winter maintenance,” said Roads and Fleet manager, Blake McIntosh. “We’ll definitely be able to handle anything Mother Nature throws at us.”

A major snow event in the City of Prince George is described as 7.5 centimetres or more in a 24 hour period.