As in typical April weather, following a La Nina winter, last month brought on unsettled, cool conditions.
The mean monthly temperature of 6.3 degrees, which is slightly cooler than the previous La Nina April in 2008, is now the second coolest value for April since local records began in 1966. April of 1972 remains the coldest with a mean temperature of 6.1 degrees.
While a record daily minimum temperature of -2.2 degrees was set on April 23, the coldest temperature during the month was -4.5 degrees during the early morning on April 19.
“A broad upper trough of low pressure with numerous embedded disturbances dominated for frequent but generally light precipitation during April,” explained Southeast Fire Centre forecaster Ron Lakeman in a news release. “Measurable precipitation (0.2 millimetres or more) occurred for 18 days during the month, yet the total amount of precipitation was slightly less than normal.”
The amount of snow recorded locally was also below normal, only 33 per cent of April’s average.
Similar to March, sunny and mild conditions were rare but high pressure did allow for a nice Easter weekend. The warmest temperature of the month (19.5 degrees) occurred on April 24.