Colder than normal spring forecast

Ontario's Wiarton Willie, Nova Scotia's Shubenacadie Sam and Pennsylvania's Punxsutawney Phil all predicted an early spring.

But Environment Canada's spring forecast suggests the rascally rodents got it all wrong.

The agency is out with its spring forecast for March, April and May.

Last year, Canada had one of the earliest springs ever, noted senior climatologist David Phillips, but this year, the season will be "reluctant to arrive."

Canada has had a "fickle and fitful" winter with temperature swings that are typical in a La Nina year, he said, and there will likely be more of the same in the spring.

About three quarters of the country will be colder than normal for the next three months, according to Phillips.

"March is going to roar in like a lion in parts of the Maritimes where they're talking about heavy snowfall and blizzard kind of conditions," said Phillips.

"On the Prairies it's more like frozen mutton because they're going to see one of the coldest beginnings to March they've ever seen across that region," he said.

Temperatures will be 18 to 20 degrees colder than normal Tuesday and Wednesday on the Prairies, he said.

British Columbia, the Yukon, the Prairies, the Northwest Territories, most of Ontario, and a good chunk of Nunavut will see colder temperatures during spring.

"We've done a lot of plowing and shovelling and pushing in some areas of Canada and it looks like they're going to continue that," said Phillips.

Eastern Nunavut, most of Newfoundland and eastern Nova Scotia will enjoy a warmer than normal spring.

Western Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Labrador, southern Quebec and eastern Ontario will have near normal temperatures, he said.

Southern B.C., most of Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Canada and Nunavut will see a wetter than normal spring while precipitation will be near normal in northern Ontario and most of the Prairies.

But at least Canadians have something to put themselves in a sunny mood.

Residents in the southern half of the country are gaining about four minutes a day more daylight driving to work or heading to school, he said.

"This is the time of the year where the day length just gallops from one day to the next," said Phillips.

"That really lifts our spirit. Even though nature doesn't want to give us the spring that we think that we deserve, we see it in the daylight and that can be uplifting," he said.

-- The Canadian Press

Comments

[Melissa]

These guys can't even predict the CURRENT weather, let alone three months in advance. I'll believe it when I see it.

[Wildeyed]

Given their track record why is this story given any play? And why is it posted without challenge or comment by the "reporter"? The forecasting this season, this week, this month have been totally awful. They cause fear and panic, cost money and productivity and no one in that industry is ever held to account. I give them no credence. None.

[Don]

If you are sick of cold weather move! This is Canada

[Stan Schurman]

I take anything Environment Canada and David Phillips say with several grains of salt. It would be refreshing if, when they are wrong (quite frequently), they would explain why they were wrong. It seems to me that they have trouble accurately predicting the weather 2 days from now let alone a month or two down the road.

[Steve Fleschman]

These types of weather "reports" are a complete waste of time, and in many ways, irresponsible. Environment Canada can't accurately predict the weather 3 days out much less 3 months. So this type of long range "forecasting" either provokes groans or cheers. Either way it's wrong. I wish news organizations would take these releases and put them in the garbage where they belong. It is not news. Ever.

[Brad in Canada]

Philips speaks in only vague and vaporous comments. He has been wrong more times that right. I'll still depend on the accuwindow and the weather will do what it pleases. Spring will come as it always has on it's own schedule. Too bad most don't archive these comments from EC as they too will see a record more abysmal than the Leafs.

[John Blaze]

I have no faith in these predicitons. These guys can't even get the weather right for TOMORROW. I am more inclined to believe the groundhogs than a meteorologist

[Honza]

It's Canada here. If you don't like winter and snow - welcome to relocate elsewhere!

[Ronald Grant]

We all know how accurate long-range weather forecasting is. Best to wait and see what actually happens.

[Andy Porter]

Global warming? Sure...!

[Greenteadrinker]

While Canada has the most expensive set of technology to monitor and predict weather,,, Canada has no idea or the proper trained staff to read, operate or understand the equipment. Fact. Proof is look at the predictions, forecasts and the actual temps and conditions. Big margin.

[Mark]

Remember this when it is proven wrong. Also remember these are the same people trying to tell us what the temperature of the earth will be in 50 years due to 'global warming'. I suspect they will be just as accurate.

[PR]

The link headline said "Cold weather is here to stay". Really??? You mean, even in July & August, it'll still be freezing-cold like this??? You might want to look up the definition of the term "here to stay", before you use it again.

[G.P.]

Ya da ya da doing the prediction game again. Enough

[VIP]

Where is Gore's and Suzuki's global warming? You don't hear much from them at this time of the year. Or is it climate change? I remember "the next ice age is imminent" from the 70s (for all the same reasons). Maybe they were right then.

[Brian Lees]

Sick of cold weather at this time of year ? You'll have to wait until Global Warming gets a grip. Y'know, sometime after the next Ice Age.

[Graeme]

Fire the groundhog!