As winter sweeps the nation, one weather channel is looking to warmer times ahead.
In Victoria, we may already be privy to sights like bright pink and white cherry blossoms and sunny days by the ocean, but this is a trait not shared by most of the country.
The Weather Network has just released its long-term spring forecast for Canada, and it looks like most Canadians will have to wait a while to smell the roses.
“Spring will tease us at times with periods of warm weather, but the warmth will lack consistency across most of Canada,” said Chris Scott, Chief Meteorologist with The Weather Network.
“This spring will bring a heightened risk for several weeks of colder than normal weather, even for regions that will see average temperatures for the season overall. In addition, large parts of the country will have a wet spring.”
In British Columbia, spring is expected to get off to a slow start, making up for the similarly slow start to the ski season in the province.
The season will get off to a slow and inconsistent start with periods of colder than normal weather during March and possibly into early April.
However once warmer weather reaches B.C., it is expected to “finish strong”, with higher than normal temperatures. Normal levels of precipitation are expected throughout
Meanwhile Ontario and Quebec are in for several weeks of colder than normal weather before consistent warmth arrives.
An active storm track will continue to bring above normal precipitation to the region causing heightened risk of spring flooding to areas that have a deep snowpack and along the shores of the Great Lakes.
The Prairies can expect a similar cold patch for weeks before settling into a warmer weather pattern.
On the other side of the country, Atlantic Canada is in for some moody weather with swings in temperatures and an active storm track expected to bring a few high impact wintery storms.
Finally, northern Canada is in for an unusually strong polar vortex that will bring colder than normal temperatures well into spring.
On a more immediate note, here’s the forecast for the next 7 days in Victoria, B.C.:
