Possible my lost cat could survive outdoors in winter?

No sign of my cat that escaped from my daughter's home in late August. I don't know that there have been any preditors that close to her area ( which is really only a half mile from my home but unfamiliar to Akira)....my signs, newspaper ads, radio...even pic on the local advertising TV channel haven't generated any correct sightings. I live in Southeast British Columbia and we have about a foot of snow here in the last couple days ....about a month early. I have read several things on "pet finding specialist " sites that a cat will maybe hide for a really long time and may be there even tho' not seen. My daughter's boyfriend who lives with her is thinking I am a nutcase for still thinking she might be "out there". He's not a particular animal fancier....I think he's neutral as my daughter has now taken in a stray that apparently has been "out there" for over a year. My daughter just moved there in April ...apparently another neighbor had snuck that stray into her home when it got really inclement ( past her two jealous kitties who didn't like her ) and set up a shelter for her in their yard . She's happy as a clam now that she has a permanent home....and doesn't really like to go out when it rains or anything...LOL.
I guess my bigger concern is when it gets really really cold in early Jan usually.....is it possible IF she was out there...she could survive? I treated her like a little princess here ( she also didn't like rain on her fur ) so hopefully instinct would kick in even tho they've been treated royally. I wish there was a way to know for sure that she has been "eaten"...then I could move on totally. I am sort of coming to a state of acceptance that she is gone but not quite there yet.....any opinions etc will be appreciated. I do conduct a normal life ...work/home etc. I don't want anyone to think I'm laying in bed under the covers til she comes home. I miss her but I am "carrying on" with life. Thanks everyone who reads this......Redhed

I was wondering about you the other day, sorry you haven't found your cat. It is possible that she's still out there, and I would say your best hope of finding her is to keep putting food out. Also, go door to door at least every month and keep putting up posters. People often forget, or assume that enough time has passed that it couldn't possibly be your cat that they're feeding every night. Also, keep checking your local vet offices and shelters in case someone finds her and brings her there. I read somewhere that most missing cats that are eventually found are found within a 5 house radius of where they went missing. It would be helpful to bring a picture of your cat when you go door to door since many people don't know what "brown tabby" (or any other color) is. I once had a brown tabby cat go missing and a lady phoned me at 11:30 one night saying she was sure she had been feeding my cat. I raced over to her house in my PJs and there was this beautiful white cat, albeit a little dirty but certainly not a brown tabby. The lady later admitted to me that she didn't know what a brown tabby looked like. Incidentally, I took that cat home and named him Martin, he's about 14 now.:D

Anyway, I'm rambling. It is possible that she could survive the winter if she found a warm hiding spot somewhere and if someone was feeding her. I wouldn't give up yet, we have had cats go missing and come home again a few months later so you never know. Are there any barns near where you live? Barns are very popular for stray cats because they provide shelter and are usually laden with mice and other such goodies. A barn owner may be unaware that your cat is hiding there so ask if you can check for yourself and bring something smelly like tuna when you go. If I think of anything else to add I'll let you know. Good luck and don't give up hope!