Ontario's December forecast is in and here's what to expect

November has already been a wild ride in Ontario weather-wise (to say the least), from winterlike storms to messy bursts of precipitation, which might have you looking ahead and wondering what December has in store as the holidays creep closer. 

The Old Farmer's Almanac has officially released its 60-day extended weather outlook for southern Ontario, which offers a detailed breakdown of what the next month could look like. Unfortunately, if you were hoping for a calm and gentle transition into winter, the forecast suggests otherwise. 

From the beginning of the month to Dec. 11, the Almanac predicts frequent rain and snow showers, which will eventually shift into longer snowy periods as temperatures plummet. 

Source: Old Farmer's Almanac.

Between Dec. 12 and 15, we'll catch a small break from the precipitation but not the icy temperatures. During this time, we can expect extremely cold conditions even without the snow. 

From Dec. 16 to 21, southern Ontario is expected to see more snow showers paired with bitter cold, making for a frigid stretch leading into the holidays. The last part of the month, from Dec. 22 to 31, will bring snowy periods, followed by a brief transition to milder temperatures. However, that won't last very long, as the long-range forecast predicts another plunge into icy temperatures to close out the year with a bang. 

Overall, the Almanac says December temperatures will average -6 degrees C, which is roughly 3 degrees C colder than usual for the region. Total precipitation is expected to reach 50 mm, which is slightly below the average of 55 mm. 

Source: Old Farmer's Almanac.

Looking at the country as a whole, the Almanac predicts that winter will be colder and drier in the east with below-normal snowfall, while it'll be warmer than normal in the west with above-normal precipitation and snow. 

The coldest periods will fall between mid- and late December, early and late January, and early February, with most of the snow falling in late November and early to mid-February.