March can sometimes come in like a lion and go out like a lamb. However, significantly warmer-than-average temperatures are expected to usher in the month in the Lower Mainland this year.
Environment Canada Meteorologist Derek Lee says temperatures on Friday, Feb. 28 and Saturday are trending about 6 C to 7 C above seasonal averages.
A weakening Pacific system rolling into the south coast should bring temperatures back to seasonal overnight Saturday, with showers continuing through Sunday. Trace amounts of precipitation between 2 and 4 mm are expected.
"February ended up colder than average by about 2 C because of the cold snap at the beginning of the month," he explained. "But then we have this warm trend to finish the month. It's an average of all of those events."
February received 95.2 mm of precipitation and the monthly average is 90.8 mm, which is considered normal for the month, added Lee.
Metro Vancouver weather forecast includes another series of storms
Monday and Tuesday are expected to be mainly sunny before another series of storms moves in and commences Wednesday. While Wednesday's forecast includes showers, more continuous rain is expected to begin on Thursday or Friday and persist through the weekend.
Lee said the weather models indicate March will have temperatures trending close to the seasonal average with wetter than normal precipitation. Meteorological spring consists of three months - March, April, and May - but the department doesn't have a clear indication of how the final two months will play out. However, there is an indication that temperatures will trend slightly above average overall.
"It is looking like a wetter than normal spring," he noted, adding that locals may see a few more wet days through the season.
La Niña arrived late this winter and is already beginning to wane, meaning it isn't likely to have a tremendous impact on the seasonal forecast. There is a 66 per cent chance it will return to neutral conditions - meaning it won't be influenced by either La Niña or El Niño - sometime over the next month.
Stay up-to-date with hyperlocal forecasts across 50 neighbourhoods in the Lower Mainland with V.I.A.'s Weatherhood.
