We are three days into the month of December and the official start of 'meteorological winter.' Typically as December sets in here in Southern Alberta, we are surrounded by piles of snow and temperatures well below the freezing mark.

This is not a typical December start, and according to Warning Preparedness Meteorologist Alysa Pederson, Cochrane may even break a new record high temperature for December 3rd.

"We are possibly forecasting a record," says Pederson." But we'll have to see what happens."  

Environment Canada is forecasting a daytime high of 14 degrees in Cochrane today; that's two degrees above the old record set back in 1987 when we reached plus 12 degrees.

Whether or not we break any records in Cochrane today, there's no denying that these temperatures are much higher than usual for the beginning of December. An average daily high for this time of year is at the zero degrees freezing mark.

Pederson says that we can thank a "blocking pattern" for the above seasonal temperatures and conditions.

"What we call it is a blocking pattern," says Pederson. "So we have a big ridge of high pressure over us and that looks to sustain itself right into mid to late next week is when we're going to start getting some systems moving through to drop us back down again toward normal."

Environment Canada is forecasting a reasonably mild December for the Cochrane area, however, Pederson recommends that Cochranites get out to enjoy the warm weather while we still can. 

Cochranites may want to buckle up for a rollercoaster ride as a La Nina system is expected to bring along colder than normal temperatures to the Cochrane area for January and February.