(submitted photo/Chris Knight)

By Ronald Quaroni

Bitter start to spring

No end in sight to wintery weather

Apr 6, 2020 | 12:22 PM

It’s been a less than ideal start to spring.

Colder than average weather means precipitation that may typically have fallen as rain in early parts of April has instead come in heaps of wet, sticky snow.

“Most of Western Canada has seen a cool beginning to astronomical spring,” meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, Terri Lang told paNOW. “Temperatures have been running about six degrees below seasonal averages.”

“It’s been running very, very cold for this time of year. When you ask people what kind of spring it’s been they turn their thumb down, because it’s been a very cold spring.”

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Despite a few snowfall warnings and sporadic flurries, Lang noted precipitation amounts are below averages in the early goings of spring. Since precipitation is coming as snow makes it seem like we are receiving more than normal, she said.

Looking ahead the forecast doesn’t improve dramatically.

“We do see temperatures trying to sneak up for a day or two, but overall, the pattern looks like it will remain cold for at least the next two weeks,” Lang said. “It’s not time to take out the patio furniture just yet.”

To make things even more tricky, she added the snow the region receives can be problematic as snow melts, freezes and creates a mess on the roads.

Prince Albert road crews are ready to deal with the latest conditions.

Brent Kennedy Roadway’s Manager noted all snow-equipment is still ready to be used.

“We’ll put our graders out and we’ll do our main’s (arterial routes) and then use sanders… that’s all we’ll focus on,” Kennedy told paNOW.

He expected clean-up to go much smoother as less motorists populate city streets.

“There’s no doubt, it’s a big plus to have less traffic on the roads. The equipment can go and do their jobs and we’re not worried about cars cutting us off as often as they normally do. It does make things easier,” Kennedy said.

He loosely projected a break in the extended winter by the third week of April, but noted crews will be ready, no matter what Mother Nature summons.

“We just go by what the weather brings us,” Kennedy said.

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Ron.quaroni@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @RonaldQuaroni