Montreal records coldest February in history

Environment Canada says Montreal has endured the coldest February ever recorded, and although the worst is likely over, there is still more winter weather to come.

The city averaged a temperature of -15 C last month, beating out a1979 record of -14.5 C.

"Thats a really long stretch. Persistent cold is basically what characterized this winter and especially February," saidEnvironment Canada meteorologist Maxime Desharnais.

• Quebec deep freeze not expected to let up any time soon

Desharnaissays it is possible Montreal had an evencolder February 115 years ago in1889, though "blurry data" makes itdifficult to prove.

Even though the cold spells are pretty much done, winter is not over yet-MaximeDesharnais, Environment Canadameteorologist

Temperatures were even more extreme elsewhere in Quebec, withrecords brokenin Quebec City and Sherbrooke.

Saguenayended February with an average of -21.1 C.

Arctic air blockage

Desharnais says the extreme temperatures werecaused by an unusualblockage in the upper atmosphere that kept an arctic air mass more or less stationaryover the northeast of the continent.

"We had the jet stream blowing just west of Quebec and Ontario, just blowing that northwesterly cold air from the north, and that thing didnt move for weeks on end," saidDesharnais.

• Record cold in February caused by arctic air carried by jet stream

Warmer daysahead?

The temperature has not risen above freezing for the entire month of February, and Environment Canada doesn't expect it to climb past 0 C until Wednesday, March 4.

"Its March, and the atmosphere is warming up. We are going to stay under the average just a little bit, but the extreme cold that we experienced over the past weeks is behind us," saidDesharnais.

Environment Canada warns of a potential storm in the Montreal region on Wednesday, with about 5-10 cm of snow expected.

"Even though the cold spells are pretty much done, winter is not over, yet so we could still get a few weather systems on the way," saidDesharnais.