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NEWS 29 | Stouffville Sun-Tribune | Thursday, December 8, 2016 `Goldilocks' winter predicted for York Region Record temperatures in summer and fall have led to `residual heat', slowing the pace of winter Ali RAzA aliraza@yrmg.com York Region is in for a "Goldilocks" winter this season, says Environment Canada. Not too cold, not too warm. It's what The Weather Network is calling a "classic Canadian winter." Environment Canada meteorologist David Phillips explains why the region won't see last year's mild winter where residents dreamed of a white Christmas that never came nor will they see the merciless frigidity of the two previous winters. Phillips explained that the last seven months (May to November) yielded one of the warmest summers on record and one of the warmest falls on record. "Why that's important is because it stores a lot of heat in the ground, lakes, rivers, etc.," he explained. "That eventually gives up, but it takes a while for winter to really come in when you have residual heat." That residual heat, especially in the northern half of York Region closer to Lake Simcoe, will yield lake-effect snow. Phillips says as the Great Lakes and Lake Simcoe are warmer than average, the lake-effect can yield a lot of snow. As cold air from the Arctic moves south and over the lakes, it causes the warm lake water to condense and be carried away to land where it precipitates in the form of snow. A greater difference between the air and lake temperature yields a greater chance ­ and amount ­ of lakeeffect snow. What this means throughout winter is lakes are expected to take much longer to freeze. It also means that residents in York Region won't see the severe, persistent cold seen the two previous winters, including the December 2013 ice storm. "We're not forecasting a return to what we saw in those years," said The Weather Network meteorologist Doug Gillham. "We will have periods of frigid weather, but not as those years." Last year, Canada's mild winter was partially caused by a particularly strong El Niño, a warm phase of the Pacific Ocean current. This year, Phillips, Gillham and other Canadian meteorologists all agree that a smaller, milder La Niña will have to battle winds from different directions. "We think this year it'll attack us from all directions," Phillips said. "But nature won't punish you. They're will be some shovelling, plowing and pushing, but it's not going to necessarily bury us." Gillham explained that the Great Lakes region ­ and York Region by proximity ­ is near a "battle zone" where different air masses of different temperatures meet. "We'll have a more active storm track in southern Ontario," he said. "You get storms when milder weather and colder Environment Canada and The Weather Network agree this year's winter won't be too mild or too severe. Meteorologist David Phillips says the weather will be good for traditional winter activities like hockey, skiing, ice fishing, etc. weather battle out." Moist, warm air from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean are likely to collide with colder, drier air from the Arctic. The result is various types of winter storms ranging from heavy rain to blizzards. Residents needn't worry Metroland file photo as the general consensus still points to a "classic Canadian winter". Phillips thinks it's good news for those anxiously waiting for spring. "It'll be a yo-yo kind of winter, two weeks of this, two weeks of that, and I think that makes winter go a little faster," he said. Thursday, December 8 Exhibit: Fit to be Tied WHEN: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. WHERE: Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum, 14732 Woodbine Avenue CONTACT: Julia, 905-727-8954, www. townofws.ca/museum, wsmuseum@townofws.ca COST: General Admission Aprons trace the changing history of the role of women as they run the household. GET CONNECTED Visit yorkregion.com/events to submit your own community events for online publishing. Admission Aprons trace the changing history of the role of women as they run the household. Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd. CONTACT: Flato Markham Theatre, 905-305-7469, 305_ show@markham.ca COST: Prime: $59, Regular: $54 Diamond 4-Pak: $172 Students: $15 Doug Leahy, together with his wife Jennifer and six of their eight children, are keeping the family's musical traditions alive. Stouffville Spirit Jr. A Hockey WHEN: 7:30 p.m. WHERE: Stouffville Arena, 12483 9th Line North CONTACT: sarah.stouffvillespirithockey@gmail.com COST: $5 for seniors, students, children; $10 for adults. Stouffville hosts the Cobourg Cougars in Ontario Junior Hockey League action. 5 things to do this weekend Friday, December 9 Heroes and Monsters: A Holiday Concert WHEN: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. WHERE: Trinity Anglican Church, 79 Victoria St. CONTACT: auroracommunityband@gmail.com COST: Adults $10, seniors/students $5 The Aurora Community Band presents holiday entertainment like no other. Join a musical journey to celebrate indomitable human spirit. Saturday, December 10 Friday, December 9 Annual Christmas luncheon WHEN: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. WHERE: Granite Golf Club, 2699 York Durham Road 30 CONTACT: Harry Renaud, 905-642-4227, harry@stouffvillechamber.ca COST: $50 + HST The Stouffville Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Christmas luncheon on Friday, Dec. 9. A turkey feast is planned with complimentary wine supplied by Galluci Winery. Registration is required in advance. To register, visit http://stouffvillechamber.ca/ christmas-luncheon/ Exhibit: Fit to be Tied WHEN: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. WHERE: Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum, 14732 Woodbine Avenue CONTACT: Julia, 905-727-8954, www. townofws.ca/museum, wsmuseum@townofws.ca COST: General Exhibit: Fit to be Tied WHEN: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. WHERE: Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum, 14732 Woodbine Avenue CONTACT: Julia, 905-727-8954, www. townofws.ca/museum, wsmuseum@townofws.ca COST: General Admission Aprons trace the changing history of the role of women as they run the household. Candlelight Christmas WHEN: 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. WHERE: Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum, 14732 Woodbine Avenue CONTACT: Julia, 905-727-8954, www.townofws.ca/museum, wsmuseum@townofws.ca COST: Adults: $16 plus tax, Children under 12: $10 plus tax Decorated for the season, the museum's historic buildings come to life. Visit with Father Christmas and go on a horse-drawn wagon ride. The Next Generation leahy WHEN: 7 p.m. WHERE: Flato Saturday, December 10 Sunday, December 11 Toronto Maple leafs and Music WHEN: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. WHERE: St. James Presbyterian Church, 6432 Main Street CONTACT: Jim Mason, 905-640-3151, jimmason905@gmail.com COST: Free Question-and-answer, music with Jason Wilson, co-author of the new book<em> The Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club: Official Centennial Publication, 1917-2017. Jingle Bell Walk WHEN: 10 a.m. to WHERE: Hollidge Tract, 16389 Hwy 48 CONTACT: York Region, accessyork@york.ca COST: Free Learn about the holiday tradition of bells and Christmas trees. Bring a non-perishable food item for the local food bank. Register at york.ca/wps/portal/yorkhome/ newsroom/events/eventdetail/ jinglebellwalk2016 "Write for Rights": Human Rights Day 2016 WHEN: 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. WHERE: Aurora Public Library, 15145 Yonge St. CONTACT: Renee, Aurora-Newmarket Amnesty group, Valerie Saunders lights candles on a Christmas tree during the 2014 evening holiday event at the Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum Saturday. Staff file photo/Mike Barrett 905-713-6713, http://www. writeathon.ca, COST: Free Join the Aurora-Newmarket Amnesty International group to sign a postcard or write a letter at this annual free drop-in event. Candlelight Christmas WHEN: 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. WHERE: Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum, 14732 Woodbine Avenue CONTACT: Julia, 905-727-8954, www.townofws.ca/museum, wsmuseum@townofws.ca COST: Adults: $16 plus tax, Children under 12: $10 plus tax Decorated for the season, the museum's historic buildings come to life. Visit with Father Christmas and go on a horse-drawn wagon ride. Chorus York: "Our First Nowell" WHEN: 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. WHERE: Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church, 10066 Yonge Street CONTACT: Mary-Lou Montgrain, 905-884-7922, www.chorusyork. ca, mlmontgrain@rogers.com yorkregion.com