Special Weather Statement: Warm weather for Christmas Eve

_ From Environment Canada: _

6:40 PM EST Wednesday 23 December 2015

Special weather statement in effect for:

 * 
Ottawa North - Kanata - Orléans

 * 
Ottawa South - Richmond - Metcalfe

What a difference a year makes, or two for that matter.

Two years ago, a crippling ice storm, dubbed the Nightmare Before Christmas, was affecting millions of people across portions of Southern Ontario. Last winter, the words ‘polar vortex’ were on many people’s lips. However, this December and holiday season have been extraordinarily mild and snow-free.

A deepening low pressure system over the American Midwest this evening will track roughly towards the North Pole on Christmas Eve. As a result, balmy unseasonal breezes will allow temperatures to rise well into the mid or even high teens in many areas later tonight into early Thursday morning. Temperature records for today and Christmas Eve are expected to tumble by the sleighful. And not only will it be mild, but abundant sunshine should grace many areas on Thursday as well. Cooler conditions will work their way in during the day on the wings of quite strong southwesterly winds. Wind warnings are in place in some regions east of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron. Travel conditions should be very good for everyone, except for perhaps one special person and a herd of reindeer, who probably prefer a blanket of fresh snow.

A quiet, mild Christmas Day is in store for most areas with good travel conditions for one and all.

Happy holidays from the Ontario Storm Prediction Centre!

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to storm.ontario@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports to #ONStorm.