Will Canada’s ‘wild’ winter continue into spring? Here’s what to expect

globalnews.ca:

Canadians have been experiencing a “wild” winter, from temperatures in the mid-teens in parts of the country around the new year, to deep freezes as recent as Thursday in southern Ontario. It’s safe to say people are hoping for a calmer spring.

And while the mild temperatures we’ve been frequently seeing will continue into next season, Global News chief meteorologist Anthony Farnell says residents will see “a lot of ups and downs.”

“When it’s warmer than normal, like it has been, we’re going to get the buds and the flowers coming out early,” Farnell said. “Then all it takes is some cold temperatures in April, for things to really go haywire.“

Those “ups and downs” come from the transition the country will be seeing from the El Niño seen this winter, which saw warmer-than-normal water affecting the jet stream and winter patterns, weakening and changing into a La Niña weather system by this summer, bringing cooler-than-normal waters.

But looking at this season, March is expected to start off with extremes, with relatively cold temperatures being seen out west and surprising warmth in the east.

British Columbia will see above-normal temperatures in southern parts of the province, while the north will sit at near normal heat. Precipitation in this province, though, will be near normal in the southern areas, while northern parts can expect below-normal rain or snowfall.

Farnell cautions that with the transition to dry and warm temperatures, there is a chance for another active fire season this year.

If you’re in the Prairies, it’s going to be a fairly mild spring with above-normal temperatures stretching across the region except for northwest Alberta, where it’s more normal heat, though some snowstorms this month are likely.