Bettynh,

Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Our latitude is roughly similar to northern NH (or, Bangor, Maine).

However, since we are on the Atlantic coast, our winter weather is normally more moderate than similar inland latitudes (snow, turning to rain in winter). We frequently get winter storms that move up the coast from New England.Though, we do get weather fronts from the west also. The jet stream is a major defining weather factor, as it frequently moves north or south of our location.

As with many in the east, this winter was cooler than normal. Signs of Spring (green grass, tree buds, migrating birds) normally come early , but, as the ocean moderates the Spring/Winter heat pulse. Spring can be long,often expanding late in to mid to late May.

On the ocean, the spring sea surface phytoplankton bloom is normally the first week in March, to mid-March, depending on the wind.

We get an early start to Spring, versus inland areas, but fall behind, as inland areas heat up faster.