Canada’s senior climatologist says there’s no reason to panic; spring will arrive, eventually.
Dave Phillips of Environment Canada says the current spell of winter weather is typical for early spring and says those who are hoping for last year’s warmth are sure to be disappointed.
“We just seem to think that we would get the same situation we had last year,” he said. “That was so unusual. That was really one of the most anomalous spell of weather we ever had.”
Phillips adds that the radical swings in temperature are a fact of spring, but for those whose livelihoods depend on sunny days, warmer weather can’t come soon enough.
At the California Pub & Grill, near the corner of Mortimer Avenue and Pape Avenue, patio chairs and tables sit stacked and forlorn under grey April skies and cold north winds.
Owner Janet Damcestca said her restaurant can weather the cold, but her patio definitely adds to her bottom line.
“If it continues to be cold it means we are going to sell less beer, that could affect my expenses,” she said. “People are not in a good mood they just want to go home and relax.”
Paul Zammit, the Nancy Eaton Director of Horticulture at the Toronto Botanical Garden says there;s an upside to a late spring, which could help flowers blossom and make for healthier soil.
“With the cooler weather we are still seeing activity… some of the early spring bloomers are starting to flower,” Zammit said. “The snow is very important to insulate plants in the garden and also restore water.”
Even though it could be a long unpredictable transition Phillips states that by having it at regular season temperatures can be better for us because we don’t have as many bugs, that can cause diseases or drought.