Welcome to the heart of winter, Canada.
January is usually the coldest and snowiest month of the year across most of the country. Folks from Edmonton to St. John’s and just about everywhere in between can expect the season’s greatest snowfall totals during an average January.
While no two months are ever alike, conditions are generally favourable for rollicking snowstorms to spread across the country through the first month of the year.
It’s important to stay prepared for plenty of snowfall and the occasional disruptive winter storm this time of year. Make sure you know the proper way to safely shovel snow, and ensure your vehicle is prepared for winter weather driving.
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It’s no shocker that January is often the most brutal part of the season. Frigid and unforgiving winds can give rise to nor’easters, fast-hitting clippers, and significant ice storms with little effort.
On average, this is the snowiest month of the year in cities like Edmonton, Saskatoon, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, and St. John’s, with plenty more population centres taking part in the wintry bonanza that is January.
Storm systems pushing in from the Pacific don’t have to search hard for frigid air to make for some wintry mischief. This is typically the month with the greatest snowfall totals all the way up in Prince George, B.C.
That doesn’t mean the major population centres are out of the woods. Even though it’s December that brings Vancouver its biggest monthly average snows, the city’s international airport averages about 12 cm of snow during a normal January. The same goes for communities like Victoria, Penticton, and Vernon.
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Clippers from the west and snowstorms pushing out of the States can bring some hefty snowfall totals to parts of the Prairies, as well.
Despite frigid temperatures that can put a damper on snows, Edmonton, Medicine Hat, Saskatoon, and Prince Albert all average their largest annual snow totals during a normal January.
All the ingredients can come together with ease to bring the eastern half of Canada some wicked January snowstorms. Cold air is plentiful and major winter storms rolling north of the border can arrive packed with ample Gulf moisture.
This is easily your snowiest month of the year for most of southern Ontario outside of the lake-effect snowbelt regions.
Toronto averages 31.5 cm of snow during a typical start to the year, while normal snowfall totals in Ottawa clock in at nearly 60 cm through an average January. Montreal is right there with you—the city usually picks up about 52 cm of snow, making for the season’s highest one-month average.
Coastal lows make it a similar story throughout the Atlantic provinces. Powerful winter storms hugging the eastern seaboard can unleash wicked snowfall rates that lead to whiteout conditions.
Fredericton, Halifax, Charlottetown, and St. John’s all average their most snow during a usual January.
While snow grabs top billing here in the heart of winter, it’s not the only hazard on the block. Significant storms moving out of the U.S. can sometimes drag warm air north with them, leading to widespread freezing rain.
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Folks in Quebec don’t need this reminder. The infamous ice storm that slammed Quebec in 1998 unfolded in early January.
Whether it’s snow or ice headed your way, make sure you’re prepared for whatever nature might bring as we kick off the new year.
Header image submitted by Lorraine Parow.
