Ottawa’s spring arrived with cold temperatures and cloudy skies. One of Canada’s top weather forecasters said residents should be patient and wait for the warm temperatures.
David Phillips, Environment Canada senior climateologist, said that the early part spring can be disappointing.
Officially, spring arrived in Ottawa at 11 :33 a.m. Monday. Phillips acknowledged that it “doesn’t feel as spring.”
“Today is kinda like maple syrup weather, four degrees in afternoon and minus five at night. Phillips said that it keeps the sap flowing and the water flowing, but it is not ideal for sitting on patios or enjoying the spring-like weather.
For the first week in spring, temperatures will be near normal. Rain or snow is expected Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.
Phillips stated that “my sense is that I believe you have to be patient.” Phillips spoke to CTV News at Six.
“We think we should change from slushy to sweat. But it doesn’t work like that. Spring is the transition season. You have summer in a few days, but winter lurks in the background.
Ottawa typically receives 10 percent of its snowfall within the first days of spring. Ottawa received 2.6 cm snow last March 20th, while Ottawa received 6 cm snow in April 2020.
Environment Canada predicts that Ottawa will experience cooler than average temperatures and more precipitation in March, April, and May. The Weather Network predicts that temperatures will be lower than normal.
“Late March, April and May will test our patience with prolonged periods of colder weather than normal and even quick shots at later-winter weather,” the Weather Network stated in its spring outlook report for Ontario.
Phillips believes April could be a little warmer than normal for Ottawa.
“We see it really taking off in May-June and being much more warm,” he said. It is important to be patient.
Phillips states that while everyone wants spring to be forgotten, we shouldn’t rush into summer and the temperatures that could lead to flooding.
“If winter were to turn into summer, there would be a flood problem in Ottawa. You’ve had 50cm of snow at the start of the month, and now you have 7cm. That’s great news. You want to get rid off that snow cover.