A taste of spring weather for Montreal - but winter lurks behind

A spectacular sunset off the western tip of the island near Senneville. February has featured plenty of sunshine so far after a dismal January that saw less than 17 hours of sunshine in Montreal for the entire month. (Valley Weather)

After an absolutely dismal January, we have been treated to an early taste of spring here in southern Quebec to begin February. January, along with most of November and December, featured plenty of cloud cover for the shortened days. 

On Wednesday I had an interesting conversation with David Phillips, Senior Climatologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada. We discussed the limited sunshine to start the year, along with the lack of snowfall and the generally somber weather that has prevailed this winter. Phillips estimates that we had no more than 17 hours of sunshine for the entire month. Combine that with the lack of snow cover or any prolonged cold to support outdoor winter sports and other activities, and it made for a long and difficult month for many.

February on the other hand has been the complete opposite so far. Still no snow, but the sunshine has been more-than-welcome. Just eight days in and we have had full sunshine on 5 of the 8 days. As I write Thursday afternoon, the temperature is an unseasonably warm 6C (43F) under mainly sunny skies. We are close to the record high for the date of 6.7C (44F) set back in 1949, but I don't think we will get there today.

The mild weather will persist into the weekend, but with an increase in cloud cover. A few showers are possible late in the day Friday and Saturday afternoon. Temperatures will be very mild, between plus 5 and 7C (41-45F) for highs, remaining above freezing around 3C (38F) for lows through Sunday. A cold front arrives on Sunday, with colder air returning next week.

There has been no snowfall in Montreal so far this February, very unusual for sure. Only a few flurries are possible late Sunday and Monday. We are watching the track of a coastal storm on Tuesday, but at this time, I expect it will remain well south of the Montreal region. Colder temperatures are set to return next week, remaining below freezing through the end of the month.

Widespread damage occurred across the Los Angeles region and southern California after several days of very heavy rain and strong winds. (AccuWeather.com)

While we have been enjoying the sun and mild temperatures, parts of both coasts have been hammered by major storms. Along the US Pacific coast, nearly a years worth of rain fell in just a few days, with over 250mm recorded across the Los Angeles Basin. The heavy rain and strong winds resulted in power outages, mudslides and widespread flash flooding.

Along the east coast, between 60 and 150cm of snow fell across Cape Breton Island and parts of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Many communities are still digging out from drifts that are several metres high.