Spring in Ottawa is trending warmer, but late snow isn’t off the table

A man runs in his shorts along Montreal Road during an April snow last year. Photo by Tony Caldwell /POSTMEDIAArticle content

March and April are expected to be warmer than average in the national capital region, though the “highly variable” season will be punctuated by some cooler temperatures before we usher in summer.

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office.Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account.Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Accountor

Article content

Barbara Lapido, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, said warmer days are ahead, but there will be some days “or even weeks” of cooler temperatures.

Article content

She added that though there will be “oscillations” in temperature, March and April are still expected to be warmer than normal.

Article content

March sunshine and temperatures of 14 degrees melting snow in Ottawa. Photo by Tony Caldwell /POSTMEDIAArticle content

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

Article content

She said the upcoming weekend is a good example of the weather trend Ottawa will see this spring. The mercury is expected to peak at 11 C on March 15, and rise to 14 C the following day, before dropping slightly to more seasonally average temperatures around 5 C during the following week. Temperatures are forecast to be back in the double digits by Wednesday.

Article content

The average temperatures for this time of year see daytime highs around two, and lows in the negatives.

Article content

“It’s the transition between winter and spring, and summer,” Lapido said. “It’ll be above normal, but there will still be some cold days.”

Article content

As for precipitation, Lapido said models aren’t showing any clear signs for what to expect.

Article content

“Every scenario is possible,” she said, meaning it’s not clear if precipitation levels will be above, below, or around average.

Article content

“This year, there’s no clear trend,” she said, “that could be a good thing, we just don’t know yet.”

Article content

She noted springtime can mean heading into thunderstorm season, cautioning people to pay attention to storm forecasts, watches and warnings.

Article content

The Weather Network’s chief meteorologist, Chris Scott, told the Canadian Press earlier this week that spring may be slightly chillier in Western Canada, but otherwise close to normal in the rest of the country, the forecast suggests.

Article content

Scott said it’s shaping up to be a wet spring in both southern Ontario and Quebec, but it doesn’t mean more rainy days necessarily, though some “pretty intense” storm systems could be on the horizon.

Article content

Parts of Ontario, and cottage country in particular, could also face flood risks if heavy rainfall lines up with melting heavy snowpack, he said.

Article content

With files from The Canadian Press

Article content

Our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark our homepage and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed.

Article content