The pleasant weather on Sunday was welcome news for Winnipeggers as they love to be outdoors skating, skiing and sledding.
It was a welcome change from last year’s winter, in which people had to fight their way through near-record snowfall.
“With the cold bug we had last year it’s great to really get outside, have some fun with the kids,” said Winnipeg Joel Lamoureux.
By mid-January 2022, the city had accumulated about 80 centimeters of snow, according to Scott Kehler with Weatherlogics.
Comparatively, this season so far the city has seen less than the 69-centimeter average for this time of the year.
“It’s pretty much night and day from last year. I mean, we were clearing snow every other day last year,” said Walter Kochlik of Winnipeg.
Kehler said Winnipeg is about four degrees warmer than normal, a fairly significant departure from normal.
Weather years in Manitoba climate change and review
Vancouver Canucks fan favorite Wayne ‘Gino’ Odjic passes away at 52
“While we’ve certainly seen weather patterns like this before in January, this one looks a lot better because of our experience last year, I think,” he said.
The prairie has an influx of warm Pacific air to thank for the break from the cold, but Kehler said temperatures are expected to cool again by the end of the month.
“Right now at least the long-range outlook is a little cooler than normal spring,” he said.
Although the weather is more conducive to getting outside, experts still recommend caution on the roads as warm weather doesn’t eliminate poor driving conditions.
Eric Dykes, Meteorologist, Environment and Climate said, “There is the potential for fog, freezing sleet, light snow and so on, so even though it’s warm, we still have conditions to worry about when you are traveling.” Change Canada.
“So, keep an emergency kit in your car, make sure you tell people where you’re going, make a plan, have a mobile phone if you have one, and drive according to the conditions.”
,With files from Rosanna Hempel of Global
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.