Severe cold most likely dead in the water

 

Continuous seepage from the Arctic is no longer strong enough to penetrate the default solar heat of the lower continent.

Toronto will be at the boundary zone, which probably means snow in April.  However, I am going to start my tomatoes under the lights in the garage.  I was reluctant when we had bouts of -20.  

The only hope for a 'Texas Buster' is that the Arctic retreats into a 'recharge' and blows out a good one.  Most likely won't happen, since this 'seepage' pattern will go on, until killed by serious heat.

The general cold will continue, and we will have to wait for the May long weekend to plant tomatoes outside.  Cucumbers first of June.  This is our standard temperature for the cold decades before the warm cycle.  A great sign for our Spring outlook is the Gulf of Maine temperatures which have fallen below the chart.

On the first of May, we can summarize the 'Heating Degree Days' for the season, and it will be record cold.  This is the only legitimate measure of the 'coldness' of the winter, and is directly related to your energy use for heating.  In opposition, the warmies will look at exceptions and have nice stories.  I can't argue with them.

ps I think now it's perfectly fine to go back to the standard weather forecast.  We can talk about highs and lows, and the jet stream as objects.