By Darren Rathwell

Medicine Hat weather connected to BC Storms; agency makes Christmas prediction

Nov 29, 2021 | 5:46 PM

The mild, dry weather seen in Medicine Hat is a dramatic contrast to storms ravaging our neighbouring province to the west.

But that’s not to say the current climate in our area isn’t connected to the ongoing rains in B.C.

“All that rain falls out in B.C., and then as it progresses eastward we get that cold wet air (sinking) as it crosses the mountains,” said Sara Hoffman, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada.

As the air descends, it warms when reaching our side of the rockies.

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Hoffman also notes the more rain B.C. has during autumn and winter, the greater the odds Medicine Hat will see Chinooks during the same period.

And she says 17 degrees in late November isn’t completely unusual here.

“We’re seeing some above normal temperatures. I would say it’s not been an extreme departure from normal,” Hoffman told CHAT News.

It hasn’t been the warmest November, but far from the coldest, with the city on track to have it’s 26th warmest November on record.

Also, the mild temperatures have some people here wondering about what weather Medicine Hat might see over the holidays.

A very long range forecast puts the odds at good for a brown Christmas.

“It may be drier than normal and (with) near normal temperatures,” Hoffman said, based on current projections.