El Nino is a phenomenon where above normal ocean water temperatures occur in the central and eastern pacific close to the equator. Its effect on Canada is warmer than usual during spring time. This will occur over much of Canada this year except from northern Quebec through Labrador. The cold weather will be a result of cold northwesterly winds originating over the ice-covered Hudson Bay.
A high-pressure system will keep much of western Canada including Calgary and Edmonton drier than usual. Most of the storms will track northwards towards Alaska.
Due to lack of snow cover across the Southwestern Prairie region, the warming will be accelerated. This will include cities like Regina and Saskatoon during the spring. Despite dry and warm weather, ski conditions will not be affected from British Columbia to Alberta due to a deep snowpack.
In the east, most of the storms this season will track from the southern US and then into Atlantic Canada. This will lead to stormy conditions from Nova Scotia to Newfoundland well into April.
Image credit: cbc.ca