The Weather Network's Winter Outlook: Meteorologists share what to expect this winter

The Weather Network's Health and Fitness Contributor keeps you in tip top shape this season

OAKVILLE, Ontario, November 28, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Weather Network has just released its outlook for the months of December, January and February, and Canadians can expect a roller coaster winter from coast to coast, thanks to La Niña.

A phenomenon characterized by colder than normal waters in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of South America, La Niña impacts weather patterns around the world. In Canada, weather patterns can be stormier than normal during a La Niña year. Extreme temperature swings are not uncommon and, Canadians can expect windier conditions at times as a result of an active jet stream.

"We are expecting a 'melting pot' of weather this winter. From wild and wide swings in temperatures to sloppy winter storms in Southern Canada bringing snow, freezing rain and rain all within the same system," says Chris Scott, Forecast Operations Manager with The Weather Network. "While Western Canada has already experienced its first taste of winter, the heart of the winter season might be slightly delayed in Eastern Canada."

The Western Canada Winter

Good news for winter sports enthusiasts on the west coast; above average precipitation has been forecasted for Southern British Columbia. Canadians living in many areas of western Canada will experience cooler than normal temperatures throughout the winter.

The Eastern Canada Winter

Above normal temperatures will dominate most of The Great Lakes region through to southern areas of the Maritimes. Near normal precipitation is in the outlook for Canadians living east of the Manitoba/Ontario border.

Get Active and Warm Up Your Winter

The weather outside is frightful? Don't hibernate - keep fit and have outdoor fun with the following tips from The Weather Network's Health and Fitness contributor Brendan Fox:

...Get Outside: No need for cabin fever this winter! It's time to get just as active as the weather. From snowshoes, to cross-country skiing, to skating, to pulling the kids in a sled, there are tons of ways to get the family involved and burn those extra calories from all the holiday snacks.

...Shield Your Skin: Feel like frolicking in the snow? Make sure you protect your skin! Getting sunburned in the winter is just as easy as in the summer - even more so if you're exercising outside in the snow or at high altitudes! Before you leave the house, check The Weather Network's UV Report and protect yourself with sunscreen that has a minimum SPF of 30 and blocks both UVA, as well as UVB rays.

...Hydrate!: Believe it or not, people are less mindful about hydration during the winter months and tend to dehydrate more often. With the dry air and extra layers, keeping your hydration level up in the winter is key.

...Get Your Daily Dose of Vitamin D: Vitamin D levels dip during the winter months. Vitamin D is extremely important for calcium absorption and overall health. It is recommended that individuals up to 70 years of age have 600 international units (IU) of Vitamin D per day. While the winter sun can give us a natural dose, incorporating fish into your diet will help you weather stormy stay-indoors days. Sardines, Catfish, Salmon and Tuna all pack over 200 IU for a 3oz portion. For vegetarians, shitake mushrooms pack roughly 29 IU per 5 oz serving.

...Get Creative With Indoor Workouts: Turning your home into a gym is as easy as turning on your vacuum. For those days when the weather gets you down, transform some of your household chores into gym-worthy moves. Increase your heart rate by vacuuming faster or walking/running up and down your stairs. Work those glutes by doing some squats when washing your windows or dusting. Also, commercials are a great time to fit in a quick workout while watching TV.


The Weather Network's winter outlook is now available online and to learn even more about the expected conditions this winter, tune into The Weather Network's broadcast on November 28th for reports with Meteorologist Martin Belanger following the Local Forecast at 10 and 40 minutes past the hour.

The Weather Network and its French counterpart, MétéoMédia, are among the most popular media brands in Canada. They are the undisputed leader of weather information services in Canada across all mediums including cable, satellite, online, mobile and newspapers. The specialty television networks are among the most widely distributed and frequently consulted television networks in Canada. The websites, theweathernetwork.com and meteomedia.com, are among Canada's leading web services. All mobile carriers now distribute The Weather Network and MétéoMédia on their services. As the leading source of weather services in the commercial market, energy companies, municipalities, road services and numerous other commercial clients have their weather information needs met by The Weather Network and MétéoMédia. The growth of The Weather Network and MétéoMédia can be attributed to the continued focus and commitment put into providing the very best weather information to Canadians whose activities are dependent on weather.

Interesting Websites to Visit: British Waterscape

The Waterscape website is the official British waterways leisure destination. It is "for people who care about Britain's canals and rivers" and it offers up information on canalside attractions, suggestions for walking around the canal towpaths, and materials on volunteering opportunities.

First-time visitors can get started by clicking on the "Canals & Rivers" section. Here they will find a clickable map of Scotland and Britain where they can learn more about the waterways in each region.

Moving along, the "Things to Do" area includes detailed leisure guides for boaters, fishers, cyclists, and avid walkers. For those who are interested in these waterways, but live across the big pond, the site also contains a "Features & Articles" area that includes longer pieces on the history of the different canals and rivers throughout the country.

Finally, visitors may wish to follow the Waterscape folks via their Twitter feed.

[KMG]
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Red Cross develops first set of international first aid and resuscitation guidelines

OTTAWA, November 7, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - After three years of research with the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation, the Red Cross has developed the first set of international First Aid & Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) guidelines for all Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to apply to their first aid programs.

"These guidelines are a testament to our expanding role in the research and development process," says Rick Caissie, national directory of Injury Prevention Programs for the Canadian Red Cross. "We take pride in the fact that our program incorporates the latest research on how to further reduce injury and improve treatment for those in need."

Beginning November 1, the Canadian Red Cross will instruct it's more than 4,700 First Aid & CPR instructors on how to teach these new guidelines over a three-month period and the revised program will be offered early next year.

"We are dedicated to spending the necessary time to ensure our instructors understand the scope of the changes before delivering these guidelines during sessions with the public," adds Caissie.

The Canadian Red Cross is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which includes the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and over 185 national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Our mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.