‘Spring’s always a tough one’: Mild temperatures, flurries in the forecast for first day of Spring

Today marks the first day of Spring! Joining us today is senior climatologist with Environment Canada David Phillips.

It is a mild start to spring in Ottawa, but flurries and colder temperatures are expected to return over the first weekend of the new season.

“Spring’s always a tough one,” David Phillips, Environment Canada senior climatologist, told CTV Morning Live Thursday morning.

“We’ve had a couple of spring days, but now it’s going to go back into coolish weather.”

Spring officially arrived in Ottawa at 5:01 a.m. Thursday.

Environment Canada’s forecast calls for a high of 17 C on Thursday, but there’s a 70 per cent chance of flurries and a low of -7 C expected tonight. Temperatures will drop to -12 C Saturday night and -6 C on Sunday.

• Spring could struggle to take hold in eastern Ontario, seasonal forecast suggests

While Ottawa has seen temperatures warm up to 14 C three times in the past five days, Phillips says you will need to keep the cold weather clothing close by.

“The last week for winter has been rather balmy, now the first week of spring is going to be more winter like,” Phillips said. “Talk about upside-down, but that is the very nature of what we face in the Ottawa Valley this time of year.”

The senior climatologist notes Ottawa sees 10 per cent of its annual snowfall after the first day of Spring. Phillips says Ottawa will see mixed weather in the forecast for Spring.

“We look at the last part of March, April, May and the first part of June – it looks like it’s going to be a little warmer than normal. But April is not going to be that way. It looks like it’s going to be a little coolish to begin with than kind of warming up,” Phillips said.

“The long term – that is the spring itself, will warm up.”

• Water levels on Ottawa River increasing, but no indicators of concern at this time

Ottawa forecast

Environment Canada’s forecast calls for increasing cloudiness today with a 70 per cent chance of showers. High 17 C.

Cloudy tonight with a 70 per cent chance of showers this evening and a 40 per cent chance of flurries overnight. Low -7 C.

Friday will be sunny. High 9 C.

Saturday will be cloudy with a 60 per cent chance of showers or flurries. High 7 C.

The outlook for Sunday calls for sunshine and a high of 1 C.

The normal temperatures for this time of year are a high of 4 C and a low of -6 C.

All eyes on the Ottawa River

The mild temperatures and recent rainfall are causing water levels to begin to rise along the Ottawa River from Pembroke to Ottawa and Gatineau.

The Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board issued a statement Wednesday afternoon, warning the increasing spring runoff flowing into the Ottawa River is causing levels and flows to start “increasing slightly” along the main stem of the Ottawa River downstream of Pembroke during the weekend.

“The return to sub-zero temperatures at night on Sunday and Monday moderated the spring melt. Although there is no significant precipitation forecasted over the next few days, above normal temperatures combined with some rain on March 19 and 21 is expected to lead to further snow melt across the basin,” the planning board said. “Spring runoff into the Ottawa River is thereby expected to continue increasing in most areas, causing levels to rise on the Ottawa River between Mattawa and the Montreal Region.”

Officials warn rising levels along the Ottawa River could create possible flooding in low-lying areas.

The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority issued a flood outlook statement for the Lower Ottawa River, between Arnprior and Hawkesbury.

“While there are currently no flooding indicators of concern, it is still too early to forecast peak river conditions which remain dependent on snowmelt and rainfall amounts,” the conservation authority said.

“Residents in flood-prone areas are encouraged to closely follow changing conditions and to take necessary measures.”