February ends on a mild note with the winter of 2011-2012 being the 4th warmest on record!

(Left: Monthly Data for February from CYWG, showing all the weather elements including wind,temp, and barometric pressure. Notice how the temp fluctuated greatly between now and the first)

 

The month of February 2012 will end on a mild and calm note in Southern Manitoba, with highs today in between -10 and 0C under sunny skies. February will finish with an average temperature near -10C in Winnipeg, about 3.5C above normal. With both a very mild December and January the winter season of 2012 could go into the record keeping as the 4th mildest winter on record in and around Winnipeg, since records began back in 1872. Once Winter finishes Winnipeg's average temperature will be an astounding -10C, an amazing 5C* above the normal (-15.3C). That has been pretty much the same thing across the Red River valley and in SW MB (although a little warmer in those areas). This has been the 8th month of seeing above normal temperatures since July, It will likely not be broken in a while!

Top 5 warmest winters in Winnipeg (since 1872) Courtesy of Rob's blog

1. 1877-78 ............. -7.2C
2. 1997-98 ............. -8.2C
3. 1986-87 ............. -9.5C
4. 2011-12 ............ -9.7C
5. 1930-31 ............ -10.1C

As for the weather over the next week expect above normal temperatures, and below average precipitation as most of the systems will bypass us in the States. The GFS model is also hinting at single digit plus temperatures on the 6th for the Red River Valley. A more detailed outlook into our spring will be coming the second week of March, I have a feeling spring will come early!
Happy Leap Day Everyone!