White Christmas guaranteed for these Canadian cities

Friday, December 23, 2016, 5:00 PM - While we may not like the snow all winter long, there's nothing like opening the curtains Christmas morning to a blanket of fresh powder.

In contrast to this time last year, most of Canada is currently blanketed with snow, but with a milder weather pattern spreading across the country, some wonder if their chances of a white Christmas (snow cover of two centimeters or more on Christmas morning) are dwindling.

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"Almost every part of the country has seen snow and a period of below normal temperatures over the past couple weeks,” says Chris Scott, chief meteorologist with The Weather Network. This is a striking contrast to the past couple Decembers which were relatively mild across the country with many areas showing bare ground leading up to Christmas."

With a powerful Colorado low expected to impact many communities across Central Canada over the holiday long weekend, travellers are advised to plan ahead before dashing through the snow. Stay on top of the latest active weather updates with our Severe Weather Outlook tool.

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Below is a list of major cities across Canada and whether they can expect a white Christmas:

In the event of a winter storm or icy conditions, below are a few tips that can help keep Canadians safe and jolly on and off the road:

• Keep exposure to cold at a minimum, especially areas of the body such as hands, feet and ears to avoid frostbite
• Keep emergency items in your vehicle such as an ice scraper, snow brush, first aid kit and booster cables
• Have your tires checked for proper alignment, pressure and tread depth. Winter tires are especially beneficial in temperatures of 7°C or below, as they handle icy and snowy conditions more effectively than all-season tires
• Make sure your wiper blades are in working order, and consider replacing them with winter-specific blades, which are heavier and more effective at shifting snow

From our Weather Network family to yours, we wish you a happy, healthy and safe holiday season.