A frigid first week of February set the tone for the whole month, which ended with an overall temperature one degree below average, the monthly report from the E.D. Soulis Memorial Weather Station at the University of Waterloo says.

Temperatures in the first week of the month dipped as low as –28 C.

The cold month meant the average temperatures during meteorological winter in Waterloo region — the months of December, January and February — were two degrees below average, “which was the coldest winter since 2014-15.”

February saw less snow than usual, the report says, with 19.5 cm falling last month which is well below the average of 30 cm. There was a total of 33 mm of precipitation in the month, just about half of the average of 62.7 mm.

“The total so far this snowfall season of 226.0 cm is now tied for first place for the end of February. But unless we get a lot more in March it will likely not be the snowiest season we have seen in the region,” the report said.

Since snow first started to fly in the region on Nov. 9, the weather station previously reported:

Milder temperatures ahead

Environment and Climate Change Canada’s report on February said several storm systems tracked across southern Ontario “adding to an already snowy winter.”

Despite the snowfall, the report said monthly precipitation totals were below normal for southern Ontario.

As for what’s to come, milder temperatures are in the forecast through to the middle of next week. The Saturday outlook says temperatures could reach 14 C with a chance of showers and a risk of a thunderstorm. Up to 15 mm of rain is possible on Saturday.

The Grand River Conservation Authority has issued a flood watch for the entire Grand River watershed because of melting snow, rain and concerns ice jams could form on rivers.

“Current forecasts indicate relatively light‑intensity rainfall continuing through today and Friday, and into the weekend. While projected totals vary, most forecasts call for 20 to 30 mm of rain over the next few days,” the flood watch said.

“The snowpack in the northern part of the watershed contains a significant amount of water content. Warm temperatures combined with expected rainfall will result in snowmelt and runoff.”

The conservation authority reminds people that high water levels in rivers and unstable ice conditions will increase the safety risk on and near water in the coming days.

“The public is encouraged to exercise extreme caution around all local waterways,” the flood warning said.

But wait, there’s more snow expected

Environment and Climate Change Canada has also offered a temperature outlook for March that says southern Ontario is expecting to see average to above average temperatures for the month.

“It has been an interesting winter season. Many parts of Canada experienced cold and snow not seen in decades,” the report said.

“As March begins, we can expect larger swings in temperature and active weather, typical of the transition toward spring across much of the country.”

Environment Canada meteorologist Geoff Coulson says people shouldn’t get too comfortable with the milder temperatures as Arctic air is expected to sweep through the area in mid-March.

“For people who are not fans of winter, it looks like there’s still winter to get through before we get onto the other side,” he told CBC Toronto.

Coulson says weather models for the second half of the month indicate possible storm systems that could include freezing rain and snow.