Forecasters backtracking on winter prognostication

Sep 22, 2016 | 7:36 AM

VANCOUVER —  The autumnal equinox arrived just after seven this morning, making this the first day of fall — but forecasters say most British Columbians won’t need the winter boots and woolies right away.

Environment Canada Meteorologist Ross MacDonald says warmer-than-normal water is still circulating in the north Pacific, and that means warmer-than-normal temperatures over the entire province all the way into winter.

Environment Canada had been calling for a much colder winter but MacDonald says forecasters are now backtracking and expect to see a very weak La Nina system and milder conditions — although he says snow and chilly days are still anticipated.

Despite Metro Vancouver complaints of a summer washout, the weather office says, overall, this past season was mainly sunny and just a little dryer than normal.