Thursday, March 20, 2008

Spring has sprung...

You made it! Spring officially arrived at 1:48am this morning. Great - winter is over and we were greeted by...snow. Over 20mm or so of rain fell across the area yesterday, but changed to wet snow overnight and has tapered off. Only a few flurries are expected today. Temperatures will be below normal for the Easter Weekend, but the weather looks great for anyone travelling.

A few notes this morning - first Happy Easter. Secondly it is becoming more apparent that we are in for flooding this spring, and it could be major. The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority has issued a FLOOD ADVISORY for the region. Click on the link to read the details. If you live along any watercourse in eastern Ontario now is the time to plan. According to the authority there has only been this much water in the snow pack on one other occasion, 1976, and it was a record flood year on the Rideau.

On another note it appears the risk of a flash melt or thaw continues. Senior Environment Canada Climatologist, David Phillips, has indicated he expects at least 6 more weeks of below normal temperatures and increased snowfall before we begin warming up for what appears to be a warm summer. If this is true the end of winter will be delayed, but when it comes, it will come fast.

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