The reality is that sometimes weather is all about perceptions, suggests Environment Canada meteorologist Cindy Yu.
For instance, anyone who thought last month was drier than normal will be surprised to learn the Red Deer area received 18.4 cm of snow last month, compared to the February average of 12.5 cm.
“You didn’t get much snow, but it was more than usual,” said Yu.
If last month seemed less snowy, Yu believes it could be because all the substantial snow fell on two days instead of being spread out throughout the month.
Some 10.2 cm came down on Feb. 19, an additional 5.2 cm accumulated on Feb. 25, and the balance came down as flurries on two other days.
While the leap-year February that just ended was indeed warmer than usual, it was only by a few degrees. Yu said last month’s average high was -0.8C compared to the February average of -3.7C. The average low was a degree higher than the usual February overnight average of -16.2C.
“The maximum temperature was more than two degrees higher than normal,” said Yu — which is somewhat significant, but not earth-shattering.
For a really sweltering February, you’d have to go back to 1988, when it hit 18.1C on Feb. 26. “That is quite an impressive record to beat,” said Yu.
Again, if the public’s perception is that last month was very warm, Yu suggests it could be because there was less temperature fluctuation.
Temperatures in February of 2011 swung from a high of 7.1C on the warmest day to a low of -34C on the coldest night.
By comparison, the lowest overnight temperature recorded last month was -27.3C, while the warmest day time high was 6.4C.
While it’s hard to know what’s coming, Yu said March usually brings more snow to Central Alberta — an average of 18.4 cm.
The warming trend we are experiencing should continue through the weekend, when Saturday’s forecast high expected to be zero degrees and a balmy 7C is anticipated on Sunday.
lmichelin@www.reddeeradvocate.com