It hasn’t been this cold in Oct. in years, says meteorologist

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – There’s a reason it feels like this cold weather has been with us for a long time–simply put, it has.

Calgary could set the record for the coldest temperature ever for Oct. 23.

We’ve been caught in the grip of an icy weather trough for the past week or so, pushing temperatures about 20 degrees below normal.

It hasn’t been this cold in October for this long in Calgary for years.

“It hasn’t actually been below zero this much, generally, in Calgary since 2012 where there was a period of seven days. Those temperatures were around minus five,” said meteorologist Alysa Pederson with Environment Canada.

“The last time it was minus 10 for multiple days was 1991.”

WATCH: Winter is here

According to Environment Canada, the lowest temperature recorded on Oct. 23 was -17.2 back in 1893.

Pederson said the reason for this cold snap is, ironically, a trough of warm air from the Pacific Ocean.

“We’re getting a big upper trough over eastern B.C., Alberta, and the rest of the Prairies that’s (been) keeping us in this very cold pattern for the last week or two.”

Thankfully, there is some relief in sight after this weekend.

❄️Feeling a little cold #Calgary?

In fact, statistically it has been REALLY cold ????
Daytime highs haven’t been THIS cold in Oct since 1991.

With forecast highs today and Sat near -10, we could break some record cold daytime highs.
1/2#abstorm #yycwx #climatestats #coldtober pic.twitter.com/3ywxYPak9V

— ECCC Weather Alberta (@ECCCWeatherAB) October 23, 2020

“We’re looking at that for Monday, Tuesday next week,” said Pederson. “A warm-up should follow into mid to late next week. Perfect for Halloween.”

Pederson said the normal temperatures for this time of year are usually well above zero, around 10 degrees.

She added we are in a La Nina year which means we can expect a colder-than-normal winter for the Calgary area and plenty of snow in the Rockies.