Expert: Too warm, too soon? Canada’s Spring 2024 forecast  

Most Canadians can look forward to a warmer-than-normal spring, but they should also brace for the season’s "profound mood swings," according to The Weather Network's latest outlook. The forecast predicts that the unusually mild winter seen across much of the country thanks to El Niño conditions will pave the way for even more pleasant weather in the coming weeks, but not without some interruptions. (CTV News) 

Here are some experts from McGill University who can provide comment on this topic:   

Djordje Romanic, Assistant Professor, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences  

“As El Niño weakens and passes by Spring 2024, we can expect variable weather over the next few months in many regions in Canada. Warmer-than-average temperatures could bring spring vegetation and blossoms earlier than normal, which creates a visually gorgeous environment. However, it also increases the risk of late season frost due to sporadic episodes of cold spells, which cannot be ruled out. The risk of spring flooding is low.” 

Djordje Romanic is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. His research interests include thunderstorm winds, natural hazard modelling, and applications of atmospheric sciences to wind engineering, sustainability, and resilience.   

djordje.romanic [at] mcgill.ca  (English)   

David Wees, Faculty Lecturer and Associate Director, Farm Management and Technology Program 

“Fruit trees and bushes normally start flowering in May after a few weeks of warm weather. But a late spring frost can kill open flowers and even flower buds. Wildly fluctuating temperatures, like a warm month of March followed by a cold snap in April, can be disastrous for apple orchards, vineyards, and other fruit farms.”

David Wees is a Faculty Lecturer and Associate Director of the Farm Management and Technology Program of the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. He is also involved in several projects funded by McGill’s Sustainability Projects Fund, including the Macdonald Campus Orchard and the Macdonald Campus Tree Planting Initiative.

david.wees [at] mcgill.ca (English, French)