Environment Canada says spring weather is expected to be a 'roller coaster' as usual

Thunder Bay - Environment Canada says the coming months will bring the usual mixed weather to the northwest region.

March 20 marks the official start of spring this year, but meteorologist Trudy Kidd says weather and the calendar don't always align.

"I think we can say winter is over," she said, adding, "Just because the calendar says winter is over doesn't mean the weather will follow suit."

She said this year will see the usual "roller-coaster" ups and downs.

If March so far has seemed like an early spring, Kidd says temperatures have been slightly above normal for most of northwestern Ontario.

She says that's good news for those used to cold winter weather, but it's not expected to last. Temperatures for the rest of the month will be near or below normal.

"All in all, for the last ten days of March, temperatures across most of northwestern Ontario will likely be near normal, especially along the Minnesota and Manitoba borders," she said. "But it's more likely that the further north you go, the more below normal temperatures will be."

As for precipitation, it's mostly normal or slightly above normal, except near the Manitoba border, she said. Looking ahead to the end of the month, she said precipitation is expected to be near normal.

Kidd said, "We really don't have any strong signals."

She said making accurate forecasts beyond seven days is difficult, especially for precipitation, so Kidd cautions people not to be fooled by early warmth and melting snow.

"It's not unusual to see snow in Thunder Bay in May," she said. "So, it's important to remember that because you get tempted by warm weather, and once the snow starts to melt, it doesn't usually end."

Kidd also reminded that these storms, when they occur, can bring different types of precipitation, such as rain, snow, or freezing rain, meaning residents should be prepared for anything.

As for larger climate phenomena like El Niño and La Niña, Kidd says we're currently in a neutral state - even so, their impact on weather in Ontario and the east is usually less strong than in areas closer to the Pacific.

"There are many different climate factors that affect our weather," she said.

"I think that's why we often see such volatile conditions within a month or a week, and spring often catches people off guard."

Source:  https://www.snnewswatch.com/local-news/expect-usual-spring-roller-coaster-ride-in-the-weather-environment-canada-says-10404134?utm_source=tbnewswatch.com&utm_campaign=tbnewswatch.com%3A%20outbound&utm_medium=referral