Climate Trends and Variations Bulletin – Spring 2018
This bulletin summarizes recent climate data and presents it in a historical context. It first examines the national average temperature for the season and then highlights interesting regional temperature information.
Over the past decade, precipitation monitoring technology has evolved and Environment and Climate Change Canada and its partners implemented a transition from manual observations to using automatic precipitation gauges. Extensive data integration is required to link the current precipitation observations to the long term historical manual observations. The update and reporting of historical adjusted precipitation trends and variations will be on hiatus pending the extensive data reconciliation, and resumed thereafter. ECCC remains committed to providing credible climate data to inform adaptation decision making, while ensuring the necessary data reconciliation occurs as monitoring technology evolves.
National temperature
The national average temperature for the spring (March-May) of 2018 was 0.4°C above the baseline average (defined as the mean over the 1961–1990 reference period), based on preliminary data, which is the 31st warmest observed since nationwide recording began in 1948. The warmest spring occurred in 2010, when the national average temperature was 4.0°C above the baseline average. The coldest spring occurred in 1974, when the national average temperature was 2.0°C below the baseline average. The temperature departures map (below) shows that parts of the Yukon and Northwest Territories experienced temperatures above the baseline average. Meanwhile, much of Ontario as well as parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Quebec experienced spring temperatures below the baseline average. Spring temperatures were near the baseline average in the remainder of the country.
Temperature departures from the 1961–1990 average – Spring 2018
Long description
The temperature departures map shows that parts of the Yukon and Northwest Territories experienced temperatures above the baseline average. Meanwhile, much of Ontario as well as parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Quebec experienced spring temperatures below the baseline average. Spring temperatures were near the baseline average in the remainder of the country.
The time series graph (below) shows that averaged spring temperatures across the country have fluctuated from year to year over the 1948–2018 period. The linear trend indicates that spring temperatures averaged across the nation have warmed by 1.6°C over the past 71 years.
Spring national temperature departures and long-term trend, 1948–2018
Long description
The time series graph shows that averaged spring temperatures across the country have fluctuated from year to year over the 1948–2018 period. The linear trend indicates that spring temperatures averaged across the nation have warmed by 1.6°C over the past 71 years.
Regional temperature
When examined on a regional basis, average spring temperatures for 2018 were not among the 10 warmest or coldest on record since 1948 for any of the eleven climate regions. All eleven climate regions exhibit positive trends for spring temperatures over the 71 years of record. The strongest regional trend (+2.6°C) is observed in the Mackenzie District region, while the weakest trend (+0.8°C) is found in the Atlantic Canada region. A table listing the regional and national temperature departures and rankings from 1948 to 2018 and a table that summaries regional and national trends and extremes summaries are available on request to ec.btvc-ctvb.ec@canada.ca.
Long description
A map that shows the Canadian Climate Regions: Atlantic Canada, Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Lowlands, Northeastern Forest, Northwestern Forest, Prairies, South British Columbia Mountains, Pacific Coast, North British Columbia Mountains/Yukon, Mackenzie District, Arctic Tundra, Arctic Mountains and Fiords.
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