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Seasonal Outlook for the spring 2020 (MAM) based on the official CanSIPS forecast issued on the 28th Feb. 2020

– By M. Markovic, B. Merryfield, M. Alarie, Environment and Climate Change Canada –

Seasonal Outlook for Spring 2020 (March, April, May) in Canada is for elevated temperatures in eastern Canada and below normal temperatures in the west, with equal chances for precipitation for most of the country.

Seasonal Outlook, Temperature

Odds favour above normal spring in the east, below normal spring in the west. The highest probabilities (>50%) for a warm spring are in southern parts of ON, QC and the Maritimes, and over the Canadian Archipelago. Below normal spring (40% or more) is expected across the central and northern Prairies stretching to BC. The highest below normal probabilities (>60%) are in central BC and parts of YT and NT. Southern coastal BC will most likely experience near normal spring.

Maps showing seasonal outlook for temperature and precipitation for canada for spring 2020

Seasonal Outlook, Precipitation

Equal chances for precipitation forecast across most of Canada. There is a probability of >40% for above normal precipitation over central QC, Great Lakes region, central SK and MB. Above normal probabilities of at least 40% are expected over the central BC/AB Rockies region and central YT. Southern coastal BC is forecast to be below normal with at least 40% chance.

Seasonal forecast by other centers

Maps showing the seasonal forecast for temperature and precipitation for other centres.

Temperature: There is a significant difference between CanSIPS and the longer lead forecast from NMME (upper figure) mostly above western Canada. NMME is forecasting equal chances for temperature probability in the central and south eastern Canada. According to the NMME there is slightly elevated probability for above normal temperatures over northern Canada, Canadian Archipelago, over the Great Lakes region and Maritimes. Both systems agree on forecasted probabilities of >40% for an above normal Spring over eastern Canada.

Precipitation:  Like CanSIPS, the longer lead forecast from NMME (lower fig.) predicts equal precip. chances for across most Canadian regions. However differences are seen in some locations (e.g. coastal BC, QC, ON, SK). There is also a difference between the two systems over the Maritimes where the NMME is showing above normal precip.

What will influence the next season?

It is highly likely that neutral ENSO conditions will occur in the equatorial Pacific this spring. ECCC predicts this neutral condition to persist into the following summer. According to the longer lead seasonal forecast issued by International Research Institute (IRI), there is a probability of ~70% that a neutral ENSO will prevail this spring and of ~60% to continue in summer. PDO index is expected to stay negative throughout the spring and summer. Its strong negative phase may bring cooling effect to the western coastal BC.

Positive but weak NAO index (according to the NOAA/ CPC prediction) is forecasted at least until mid-March after which the forecasting skill is low. Positive NAO is historically linked with above average temperatures across northeastern Canada. PNA index will likely remain negative but weak by mid March according to the CPC, providing a cold influence across western Canada. Spring is the season with the highest historical skill for temperature forecasts over Canada.

Maps showing the verification of the winter forecast

More Like This:

CanSIPS, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Marko Markovic, seasonal outlook, Spring Forecast

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