Environment Canada predicts early spring for Winnipeg

Winnipeg was an average two degrees warmer in January and the mild weather could continue in February, says David Phillips, senior climatologist with Environment Canada.

"What stands out for me is really the lack of those very cold, punishing days," Phillips' said of January's weather in southern Manitoba.

"I think nature has been kind to you from a temperature point-of-view."

• Cloudy Monday but above-normal temperatures continue in Winnipeg

Just one day in January dropped below 30 C in Winnipeg Jan.17. Normally, by this point in the season, Winnipeggers would have shivered through nine days of below 30 Cweather, said Phillips.

Environment Canada's models don't seem to show a February payback either.

"February is on average three degrees warmer than January," Phillips said.

While cold weather could hit February over the next two weeks, there should be awarm-up right around Valentine's Day and possibly even an early spring, he said.

"February'slike January [there]could be up and down [and] some melting days [and] that always makes winter shorter," said Phillips.

The official first day of spring is March 20 48 days away and counting.