Here’s an old saying: If March comes in like the lion, it will go out like the lamb.
David Phillips, Senior Climateologist at Environment Canada, believes that the old saying “always be right” is not always true.
“I’ve heard March roar in and out. He said, “I’ve seen it baa out and baa in.” “So I don’t think that little weather ditty is of any merit.”
Phillips, joking aside, released Tuesday’s spring weather outlook for southern Manitoba.
He warns Manitobans against putting away their winter parkas. Phillips wants March to be a little cooler in this area of the province than usual. He says there is good reason. Phillips explained that it will take longer for temperatures to climb because of all the white snow still on ground. The average temperature for this time of year is -4°C. Environment Canada says that we could reach that temperature next Saturday.
Phillips says that the sun’s rays reflect off white snow and go back into space, without warming the ground. He says that the ground can absorb radiation once the snow has melted and there is some dark soil.
Phillips is calling to have March colder than usual. However, he reminds that March is on average seven to eight degrees warmer than February. Even if it does turn out to be a little colder than usual, it could still be significantly warmer than last month. He also stated that we are seeing three extra minutes of daylight each day. It is also noticeable because the sun is higher in the sky.
Phillips points out that just because March is expectedly colder than usual, it does not necessarily mean that spring will be colder. He says April and May should be exactly the opposite. This should result in a spring that is average in terms of temperature in southern Manitoba.
Phillips believes that we will see more snow in the future. Phillips notes that there are still a few days in the forecast for snow. Phillips claims that the snowfall in southern Manitoba is usually about one-quarter after March 1st. Phillips claims that this time of the years is when you get more Colorado Lows, which tend have higher water contents.
Phillips claims that our winter was just as predicted. Phillips states that February and January both saw 11 days with temperatures below -30 degrees even though winter was absent until December. February was seven degrees colder than usual, making it the coldest February for 43 years. All of the Alberta Clippers contributed to making this one of the snowiest winters in history since 1963.