Will spring bring sweet relief? The Weather Network delivers its Spring Outlook

Slow winter thaw means colder than normal start to spring for most Canadians

OAKVILLE, ON, March 3, 2015 /CNW/ - Bitter and frigid temperatures have settled in across much of Canada, which has many wondering when winter will release its icy grip. To provide an overview of what's to come, The Weather Network's meteorologists have issued this year's Spring Outlook, forecasting the months of March, April and May.

In line with the Winter Outlook predictions, most of Canada avoided extreme winter conditions until January. From the Prairies to Atlantic Canada, this cold weather pattern is likely to dominate through to at least the end of March with below normal temperatures expected. As spring continues through April and May, regions west of Ontario will start to trend toward near or above normal temperatures. Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada will continue to experience below normal temperatures.

"It took winter a bit longer to set in across Central and Atlantic Canada, but now that it has, it doesn't appear to want to let go," said Chris Scott, Chief Meteorologist at The Weather Network. "Spring is a transitional season where we typically see a variety of weather conditions so while it's expected to be a slow start, Canadians can rest easy and know that relief is in sight. We will turn the corner in April and get near seasonal conditions as we head into May."  

Large volumes of snowfall in Atlantic Canada and extensive ice levels around the Great Lakes and the Saint Lawrence River are major contributors to the slower start to spring and below normal temperatures in these regions. Flooding may be a concern for residents in these areas given the snow pack and ice levels, but the below normal temperatures predicted could allow time for the ground to thaw and may result in a slower melt, potentially reducing the chances of major flooding. However, given the variable nature of the season, The Weather Network will keep a close eye on any trends in the weather that could lead to flooding.

British Columbia and the western coastal region of Yukon will see a continuation of the mild trend experienced this winter with above normal temperatures expected for spring. The Prairies will see below normal temperatures in March, but should see a rebound to near normal in April and May.

Vancouver and coastal B.C. will see below normal precipitation while the Prairies, Ontario and Quebec are expected to receive near normal precipitation. Above normal precipitation patterns are expected for Atlantic Canada due to the active storm track and lingering arctic air, bringing the risk of heavy snow, rain and a mixture of the two.

Beginning at 6 a.m. ET on Tuesday, March 3, The Weather Network reveals the Spring Outlook to Canadians on television and at theweathernetwork.com/outlook. Then at 9 p.m. ET, Chief Meteorologist Chris Scott and presenter Chris St. Clair provide deeper analysis and insights on how spring will look and feel in each region.

For the most current weather information, tune in on TV or visit www.theweathernetwork.com or download the app when you're on the go www.theweathernetwork.com/weather-apps/mobile.

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Celebrating 25 years, Pelmorex Media Inc. is the parent company of The Weather Network, MétéoMédia, Beat the Traffic and Eltiempo.es. Pelmorex operates in Canada, US, Spain and the UK. The Weather Network and its French counterpart MétéoMédia are Canada's most popular weather and information services on TV, web and smartphone apps. Pelmorex owns Eltiempo, Spain's leading multi-platform weather information provider. With strong roots in weather, we continue to leverage technology and science to help consumers plan their day by expanding the Pelmorex family to include Beat the Traffic, a leading multi-platform brand that finds the fastest route from point A to point B. Pelmorex also operates Canada's National Alerting Aggregation and Dissemination System (NAADS) which aggregates and distributes emergency alerts issued by authorized government agencies. Pelmorex has been named Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies for eight consecutive years.

SOURCE The Weather Network