www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, September 15, 2016 | 12 The verdict is in on fall and winter weather forecast by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff Oakville residents can look forward to a warmer than average fall, but also a much harsher winter than last year. These were the key points in a fall forecast released by Oakville-based The Weather Network, whose parent company is Pelmorex Media Inc., Tuesday (Sept. 13). Michael Carter, a meteorologist with the locally-based television network, said warm weather would linger into the fall season for much of Eastern Canada, including southern Ontario. "We're really looking at the summer-like temperatures to hang on through September," said Carter. "Temperatures should remain above normal for really the entire season.... This is good news for folks who want to get out and enjoy a few last weekends at the beach or the cottage. Maybe get a few last nice outdoor days in before the cold sets in later in the season." That said, average daytime high temperatures are still expected to drop a couple degrees with every week that passes during the fall season. Carter said the average high temperature in Oakville for September would be around 21.6C. That average high drops to around 14.3C in The hot summer experienced this year will see a pleasant fall in store, but it is expected it will be followed by a more typical winter season, with plenty of cold temperatures and snow, according to The Weather Network. | Metroland file photo October and 7.6C in November. The key message, says Carter, is more sunny days and warmer days than normal. The dry conditions seen during the summer are also expected to continue into the fall with the overall average precipitation for the season hovering around the normal to below normal level. Carter says when the rain does come, it is expected to come all at once in the form of three to four heavy rainstorms. Residents expecting a repeat of last year's relatively mild winter should probably get their snow shovels ready. Carter said that mild winter was caused by an El Nino climate cycle, which is no longer present. "We are going to return to more classic winter weather this year," he said. "A pattern kind of much more resembling the previous two winters, 2014 and 2013." While Carter's forecast is currently calling for near normal temperatures for the Greater Toronto Area this winter, colder than normal temperatures are forecast for much of the rest of Ontario, especially north of the Great Lakes, and may head this way from time to time. "What we are basically expecting this winter is a pattern to develop that is going to allow more frequent and persistent arctic air than we saw last year," said Carter. "Along with that comes the cold, the storms, all those things." The daytime high average for December is expected to be 1.4C. That daytime high average drops to -1.5C in January 2017 and -0.4C February 2017. "Many, many days below zero would be the story if we are in a more normal winter pattern, which we expect to be," said Carter. "More days with a high temperature of below freezing than above basically will be the story for this winter." The Weather Network said it will release a full winter forecast at the beginning of December when more information is available. $700 OFF HI-EFFICIENCY CENTRAL AIR $ AIRE ONE MADNEss sAlE! /mTH OAC* 29 AnnuAl GenerAl MeetinG Canadian Mental Health Association Halton Region Branch (CMHA-HRB) Date: Tuesday, September 27, 2016 Time: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Location: CMHA-HRB Head Office 1540 Cornwall Rd., Oakville If attending, please RSVP to: dcoutu@cmhahrb.ca IN I.E.S.O. REbATE* $400 up TO Starting from NOW $ Was *Call for details 1990 A+ RATING $ 2690 Up to 6 months no payments, no interest. o.a.C.* * HI-EffICIENCy AIR CONDITIONERS · 10 Year Factory Warranty SAmE DAY INSTALLATION! CALL NOW, QUANTITIES ARE LIMITED! 9 Locations to serve you better Heating & Cooling www.aireone.com 905-849-4998 1-888-827-2665 For more information on mental health, addictions or our services, visit: www.halton.cmha.ca