Moose Jaw Times-Herald: ‘Warmer and drier conditions’ expected this winter

El Niño trend expected to continue through winter, possibly spring 

Environment Canada's temperature and
precipitation probabilistic forecast
as of July 31, 2015 is shown for
August to October 2015.
Screen shot photo

By Lisa Goudy

It’s too early to tell for sure, but most Environment Canada models suggest this winter will be milder than normal.

“The forecast that’s available from the people that look at El Niño do suggest that there’s a greater than 90 per cent chance that El Niño will continue through Northern Hemisphere winter,” said Natalie Hasell, warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada.

She added there is an 85 per cent chance it’ll last into the early spring as well. However, these are all preliminary forecasts and it does make a difference whether the El Niño will be weak or strong.

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