Manitoba's Great Thaw: Spring Has Officially Sprung, Says Colleen Bready!

Oh, what a feeling! If you've been stepping outside these past few days and wondering, "Is this really it? Is spring finally here?" — well, you can breathe a collective sigh of relief. Our very own Colleen Bready, CTV's chief meteorologist, has officially given us the green light: spring has indeed sprung across Manitoba!

It’s truly a breath of fresh air, especially after what felt like a rather quick winter, punctuated by a brief but memorable cold snap. Remember those first few days of March? Winnipeg, for instance, kicked things off on a wonderfully mild note, almost lulling us into a false sense of security before that chilly bite arrived around March 8th. But good news, everyone: that colder air has packed its bags, and the delightful warmth has decidedly returned, settling in nicely from about March 17th onwards.

And it's not just a fleeting visit, either. Bready’s forecast isn't just about today or tomorrow; she's looking at the bigger picture. She tells us that the long-range outlook for April, May, and even June is pointing towards temperatures that are comfortably above normal. Yes, you heard that right – more days of sunshine, milder breezes, and that glorious feeling of shedding those heavy winter layers!

This year's spring arrival feels particularly sweet, doesn't it? Especially when you cast your mind back to last year. Oh, that was a different story entirely, wasn't it? We were still wrestling with lingering snow, dealing with a very late spring, and facing down some significant flood risks. What a difference a year makes! This time around, thanks in part to an El Niño year influencing our weather patterns, we're seeing less snow and a much earlier thaw. That translates directly to a much-reduced risk of widespread flooding, which, let's be honest, is music to everyone's ears, especially those along our waterways.

So, there you have it. Get ready to embrace those double-digit temperatures, dust off the patio furniture, and start dreaming of all the wonderful outdoor activities Manitoba has to offer. Colleen Bready's got us covered, and the forecast? Well, it's looking beautifully bright!