March in the Waterloo region saw exceptionally wet weather with three consecutive rainy days, culminating in a total of over 35 mm of rainfall on the final day, making it the wettest March since 2011 and the sixth wettest on record since 1914. According to the monthly report from the E.D. Soulis Memorial Weather Station at the University of Waterloo, the total precipitation for the month reached 128.2 mm, nearly double the average of 65.8 mm. Snowfall in March was below average at 13.5 cm, compared to the typical 26.5 cm.
Throughout the winter months, the region experienced a total snowfall of 239.5 cm, beginning with the first snowfall in early November. This amount significantly surpassed the average seasonal snowfall of 159.7 cm. Despite already ranking as the third highest snowfall season, there is still potential for snow in April, the report noted.
Since the start of snowfall in November, the weather station had previously reported unusual weather patterns. January received double the average snowfall, December was approximately three degrees colder than usual, marking it as the second coldest December in the last two decades, and November was the snowiest in the region since 1950.
As of midweek, the Environment Canada forecast indicated a possibility of flurries on Monday. The month of March began with a warm spell just before the break, leading to the closure of Chicopee ski hill to preserve snow for the return of colder temperatures during the week off for students. Ending the month, there were a couple of warm days, with temperatures reaching 20°C for the first time on March 30.
March exhibited warmer temperatures overall, with a week of warm weather at the beginning, followed by two notably warm days and few cold days. The average temperature was more than 1.5 degrees above normal, marking the first month with warmer temperatures since the previous October. Looking ahead, the Environment Canada forecast predicts a fluctuation in temperatures at the start of April, ranging from 5°C on Thursday to a high of 21°C on Friday, followed by a drop to 16°C on Saturday and a further decrease to just 3°C on Sunday. Rain is expected until Tuesday, leading to flood warnings in several communities issued by the Grand River Conservation Authority due to high river levels caused by the ongoing rain.